A New Place

Bismillah.

Please note that this blog will not be updated since I have a new one. Actually not really new because I have created it since 2013. To cut a long story short, this is the link to my current active blog. norsajidahzulkafli.blogspot.com

Thank you so much!

* Yang Sedang Patah Hati *

Engkau yang sedang patah hati
Menangislah dan jangan ragu ungkapkan
Betapa pedih hati yang tersakiti
Racun yang membunuhmu secara perlahan

Engkau yang saat ini pilu
Betapa menanggung beban kepedihan
Tumpahkan sakit itu dalam tangismu
Yang menusuk relung hati yang paling dalam

Hanya diri sendiri
Yang tak mungkin orang lain akan mengerti

Di sini ku temani kau dalam tangismu
Bila air mata dapat cairkan hati
Kan ku cabut duri pedih dalam hatimu
Agar kulihat, senyum di tidurmu malam nanti
Anggaplah semua ini
Satu langkah dewasakan diri
Dan tak terpungkiri

Juga bagi engkau yang hatinya terluka
Di peluk nestapa tersapu derita
Seiring saat keringnya air mata
Tak mampu menahan pedih yang tak ada habisnya

* I Wear My Baby *

Bismillah.

Two days in a row I got stuff that really make me happy. Alhamdulillah!

Yesterday I received this:

At first I didn't know who's the sender. It's a mysterious gift! The sender is awesomely generous, I posted somewhere that I want this cute button badge but it never crosses my mind that someone would be very kind to spend some money simply to make my day. Alhamdulillah. A little 'dream' came true. :D 

And today, this parcel safely reached my hand: 

What's that? Boba wrap? Google it. 

Well, a few weeks ago, a good friend of mine shared with me about babywearing. Beginning from that time, I started to read more and more about babywearing, mainly focusing on the benefits of it. Subhanallah I wish I knew about this before my baby was born! Now my baby is already 16 months old and I feel I've lost months of opportunity to offer the best care I could give her. (yes, it's a bit costly!)

A few pamphlets were included in that box, and one of them is explaining briefly about the benefits of babywearing. I'll just list down here the main points regarding carrying baby upright on the chest:

1. Mimics the environment of the womb.

2. Prevents ear infections and eases the symptom of GERD.

3. Regulates body temperature.

4. Enhances lactation, the prevalence, and the duration of breast-feeding.

5. Enhances growth/ weight gain.

6. Stabilizes heart rate.

7. Relieves stress reactions.

8. Provides longer periods of restful sleep.

9. Saves lives. 

As a result, carried babies:

1. Cry less! 

2. Are healthier! They gain weight faster, have better motor coordination, increased muscle tone, and sense of balance.

3. Get a better view of the world! Babies pushed in strollers only get to see the adult world at knee level.

4. Are independent and less clingy!

5. Sleep better!

6. Are happier! They feel loved and secured. 

All of the points given are actually attached with reference but I am too lazy to type 'em all here. Enough to know that these points are reliable facts. 

By the way, parents out there, when you decide to 'wear' or carry your infant, please choose the carrier which is not harmful. There are many products available but first, you need to make sure that you've made the best choice for the growth and development of your baby. 

A good article regarding this topic: http://www.thebabywearingblog.com/baby-wearing/a-bit-about-babybjorn-baby-carriers/

Happy wearing your baby!!! :D

* They Have Feelings Too *

Bismillah.

Went to a bookshop with little D and found a series of books which really caught my attention. It is very rare to see toddlers' books to be revolved around such topics; about feelings.

All the books are written by Trace Moroney. You know, we tend to neglect the fact that little toddlers also have feelings and need to learn about them. Just simple sentences and explanations, but they are enough to teach the little kids about the feelings that they keep having.

I feel like buying them all but each book costs RM14.90 since they are board books. (Truth be told, honestly I wanna buy them for myself. haha)

Well, I didn't buy any, but I read most of them! And here are some pics of the pages which I'd like to share with readers. :)

(These books are in the series of: When I am Feeling ..... Sad, Happy, Kind, Loved, Jealous, Lonely, etc etc etc)

Excuse me for the bad quality of the pics. Click on the pic to enlarge. 

* Raising Sahabas *

Subhanallah..

What an inspiring blog about homeschooling! Do visit it: http://raisingsahabas.wordpress.com/

* I Implore U to Learn it *

Bismillah.

DURING my Linguistics studies, I came upon something pretty amazing, and thought I'd share it with you...

In Linguistics, it is commonly understood that translation from one language to another is complicated; in that, no language can ever fully depict the essence and magnificence of another language, whether it be the culture, ideologies, or simple nature intrinsically present within that language.

Poetry, is even more complex, forget that, it's said to be 'impossible'... Guy Cook, Professor of Language and Education: "It has rhyme, it has rhythm, it has metaphors, symbolism, cultural illusions, performance style, and so on and so forth, it really is almost impossible to get a translation which does justice to the original." Shelley, English poet: "It’s like throwing a violet into a crucible."

So, translating poetry from one language into another has been likened to throwing a flower into a furnace. Wow. There’s absolutely no way that that flower could ever, possibly, even with the minutest chance, come out of a furnace looking the same.

So what then, of the Qur'an? Over 1400 years old, and magnificently still unparalleled to this day. The most beautiful, inimitable piece of literature in the world. In fact, a book that cannot only be called ‘a piece of literature’, or even equated to poetry, since that wouldn’t suffice. It is a guidance, a healing, a light, and best described by the One who authored it, Allah, The Majestic, Supreme in Greatness:

 “Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur'an), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide.” (Surah Az-Zumar, Chapter 39, Ayah 23) 

SubhanAllah, such powerful words, and yet even they have been translated for us! Just imagine reading this verse in pure Arabic and understanding it to a degree that you never could in English. Imagine capturing the beauty of the violet before it is fed to the furnace.

So the question is, can we ever understand and connect with the Book of Allah, if we can only access it in its translated meaning? The answer is yes; we can, and many people before us have done the same.

But now I ask you, can we ever fully absorb, contemplate and reflect upon the Speech of Allah, if we can only access it in its translated meaning? Can we ever completely connect with it on an emotional and intellectual level? The answer is no; we cannot, except for a small (or some) degree, and that is the fundamental reason why countless people before us have sought and strived to learn the Arabic language, and why countless people amongst us continue to do so now.

The Qur’an's message is gloriously beautiful in whatever language it is translated into; Russian, Chinese, Korean, French, English, and so on, such that it inspires millions of conversions into Islam, but it is only in the Arabic language that its beauty truly emanates and radiates. 

“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'ân in order that you may understand.” (Surah Yousuf, Chapter 12, Verse 2) 

 Sisters and Brothers, therefore, I implore you to learn the Arabic language, and open up doors to endless possibilities and rewards. To comprehend the Qur’an with a new understanding, to revel in the sweet beauty of each and every verse, to smile and cry at the descriptions of those entering Paradise and those entering the Hell Fire, to desire with a newfound urgency to be amongst the Believers, and to fear with a trembling heart to be amongst the Disbelievers, to hope and dream, to wish and want, in a language of surmount exquisiteness, and to love the Qur’an the way it truly deserves to be loved.

May Allah help us all to master the language of the Qur’an and to aid its spread throughout the Ummah. 

May He increase us all in beneficial knowledge, sincere intentions, and accepted deeds, and may He bless us in manifold reward.

source: http://saudilife.net/islam/130-quran/29724-magnificence-of-qur-an

 

* And We Wonder... *

* Cuties in a Playgroup *

Bismillah.

Alhamdulillah. My deepest syukr to Allah for giving me the guts to join the reading playgroup this morning (till afternoon). Though last night I was quite sure that I won't go, but suddenly a voice inside of me whispered that I need to challenge myself to do things I haven't done before. So, I was determined to go and finally I reached the place (with some hurdles) and guess what? I feel like I am not in Malaysia! Sort of entering a new world, new faces, new cultures, new home-design styles, new accents etc...

For months I have been hunting for a playgroup for my baby. Of course I found lots of them, but unfortunately they only offer the playgroup for the kids aged 3 years and above (majority of them are like that). Till finally I found this one playgroup in the vicinity of my home area, I was excited when I read one statement written there in their page "All ages are welcome (including babies, they won't be babies for ever)". Yayyy, alhamdulillah. :D

However, there was a little problem. It's an international playgroup! As I browsed through the pages and photos, I got the idea that most of them are not Asian and not Muslims. Yeah, it's a challenge for me; to try to mingle myself with people from other countries (yesterday I wrote about other races, and now it's a bigger issue I guess.)

IIUM is also an international organization, so what's the big fuss of having to mix with this international playgroup?! Oh well, maybe in term of the nationalities, it's the same as what I have experienced in IIUM. But the matter now is the difference of faiths. You know, when you are surrounded by Muslims from other countries, you don't feel awkward or inferior as much as when surrounded with people from different flags and beliefs. Especially if it is for the first time. Can't escape from having the gawky feeling inside. But eventually, it will fade, little by little, inshaAllah.

Before the story telling session.

Actually, the reason I am trying to bring my baby to this type of activity is; I want her to learn about SHARING. She got no friends inside her home (except her parents), and I noticed that when once in while she plays with the other kids, she will have the "this book/ toy is MINE, you cannot take it!" attitude. (I bet most kids are like that). So I hope by putting her into a playgroup will somehow teach her to be more caring, emphatic (by sharing stuffs) and not afraid of making friends.

I prefer a playgroup rather than a nursery or kindergarten because in a playgroup, mothers are there to accompany the babies. And it's easier for mothers to observe how their munchkins' are behaving from time to time.

As for the playgroup I attended today, it is basically a READING PLAYGROUP. There's no activities such as coloring, baking, making this and that and so on so forth (but sometimes there are other activities such as treasure hunting and playing outdoor). That's why it is suitable for babies as well. The reading teacher just now is a British. She's very good in attracting babies' attentions (though once in a while I can't deny those little creatures want to wander here and there to explore). Her style of story-telling is superb and I adore it. I will try to be like her when I read stories to my baby.

After the story telling session.

At the playgroup, I met people from Australia, Romania, UK, Philippines, as well as Korea. :) InshaAllah for the upcoming playgroup's sessions, I will be able to meet more and more people from countries all over the world.

P/s: Sorry I didn't have much chance to snap pics. 

P/s/s: Tell me if you (and your baby) want to join, then it'll be more fun! :D

P/s/s/s: If you know any Muslim playgroup (which is opens for babies as well), do inform me, please. Thank you! :)

P/s/s/s/s: Need to pay rm10 for each playgroup session.

* In the Eyes of Them *

Bismillah.

ALHAMDULILLAH I AM MALAYSIAN

Actually I wanna write about this little thing 2 days ago, in conjunction with Malaysia Day. :D

A few weeks ago, I had my breakfast with 3 other people. One is Malay, one is Chinese and another one is Indian (the one paying for the breakfast!).

I don't know them much but hey, I was quite excited and very grateful for being given this chance. Sitting together at one little round table, enjoying breakfast, chit-chatting about some issues, and as well as waiting patiently for the meals to arrive.

It has been years since I had Chinese and Indian friends. Back then in primary school, I had a few close Indian friends and honestly I love spending time with them. We exchanged gifts, studied together, played together, and ate together during recess. In fact, when we were no longer in the same school, we did write letters to each other. How close we were, isn't it? :)

Praises be to Allah for blessing us with this little happiness. Where people of different races can still enjoy the relationship regardless of their backgrounds and creeds. Alhamdulillah I am Malaysian. ;)

Who knows, even without any utterances of words about Islam, they will still get to know a few simple stuffs about it, respecting it and thus, attracted to know more about it. InshaAllah. He is indeed the controller of every heart.

PROMOTING LOVE AND PEACE

Well, about the recent issue of "innocence of Muslims", we know that all Muslims are enraged and somehow feeling sad when our beloved Prophet sollallahu alaihi wasallam was humiliated and dishonored. But please, my dear fellow Muslims, let us avoid doing anything that will make the non-believers think that what isn't true about Islam, is actually true, due to our stupid actions and negative responses.

Prove to them that Islam is a religion that promotes peace, patience and love. To win hearts, we don't use violence. It is love and kindness which are the weapons to attract others' hearts. Remember what our Prohet sollallahu alaihi wasallam reminded us? "DO NOT BECOME ANGRY". 

Wallahua'lam.

In response to the abusive film about the Holy Prophet Muhammad upon him blessings and peace, “Discover Islam UK” in London distributed more than 110,000 copies of a translation of the Qur’an and the life of the Prophet Muhammad for the citizens of London. Very smart response. May God bless them with the support of His beloved and religion.