tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-140141902012-02-16T23:25:23.861+08:00A place to store my feelings and thoughts. Mostly rambles, whenever I feel like it, wherever I am.Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-44326400752729554832010-02-20T00:27:00.005+08:002010-02-20T01:12:00.019+08:00

Last night, I watched from afar, the body of my friend's mother being lowered into her grave, and covered with spade after spade of red earth. Alhamdulillaah, she had reverted to Islaam at the age of 60 (or thereabouts) and passed on yesterday at age 84. She was an amazing woman, reminded me a lot of my dear grandmother (who passed on in 1996). Of those who 'cannot sit still' and need to keep

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-30856112353808603322010-01-06T00:20:00.003+08:002010-01-06T00:41:47.358+08:00

Looks like I won't be updating this blog that often, huh? :pWow, it has been (yet again!) ages, since I last posted anything in here... my template is still old, my last post was in March 2008 (wow, not a single post in 2009?!), and there're these settings .. monetize? What is that?? :pOH well...The one reason why I wanted to make another post was to continue on my "being a non-Malay Muslim in

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-13341249676153881992009-03-22T23:41:00.005+08:002009-03-23T00:08:37.387+08:00

Subhanallaah... it has been ages since I last updated (again!).Much has happened, and with every situation that one goes through... one ends up learning something, and ending up a better and more fulfilled person, inshaa Allaah. But of course, as life has its ups, it also has its downs... and for both we should be grateful. On the authority of Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-18671982361252594272008-08-31T15:19:00.002+08:002008-08-31T15:52:59.124+08:00

Subhanallaah, it has been 5 years since I embraced Islaam, alhamdulillaah!And yes, inshaa Allaah, if they sight the moon tonight, it will be Ramadhaan tomorrow - and the start of Qiyamullail tonight, inshaa Allaah.Ramadhaan is the month where we are highly encouraged to read the Qur'an... and understand it. A month which is full of blessings and as believers, we should try our very best to gain

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-60965902885119424862008-08-21T13:59:00.004+08:002008-08-21T16:27:14.581+08:00

I have just gone to see my grandad. He was very cold. Called him as usual, but that didn't even garner a nod. Hmmm. My son went up to him and said hello, etc. but it he only allowed him to hold his finger for a little while. Perhaps it is because I haven't gone to see him in a while - rather, I didn't stay long enough the last time I dropped by. Well of course, he's not always like that... but he

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-50941064286760716122007-09-18T23:38:00.000+08:002007-09-19T00:03:17.997+08:00

Subhanallaah... how time flies. I am now in my fourth Ramadhaan... and all praise is to Allaah, He has given me yet another opportunity to experience this holy month, this month which is better than any other month in the Islamic calendar.I was forwarded a blog with salaat recordings from the Haramain, may Allaah reward those who are posting them! Subhanallaah... just playing the adhaan is enough

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-16569823139815476872007-08-11T05:01:00.001+08:002007-08-11T05:18:25.877+08:00

This is a nasheed by Ahmed Bukhatir.I had seen this nasheed (without music, inshaa Allaah) a couple of months back and I must admit it left quite an impact on me. I had stumbled upon it one late night but can't remember how.And just when I felt that I had some things to complain about - I stumble upon it again. Another reminder comes to me - when feeling in a mood to lament, look to those who are

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1165489795024057962006-12-07T19:05:00.000+08:002006-12-07T19:09:55.036+08:00

Wow, the last update was 18th September 2006? Gosh, it's only 24 more days to 2007!How time flies. It's not that I have not been doing anything - it's just that I haven't been having much 'inspiration' to be blogging. Life is going to take a major turn in a few weeks' time. MAJOR. Insya Allah, He will guide us through it.I still work at the same place - not exactly doing what an environmental

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1158642125992757702006-09-19T12:51:00.000+08:002006-09-19T13:02:06.023+08:00

Alhamdulillah.Ramadhan will dawn upon us again in a weeks' time.I had written a pretty detailed piece last year - which I will not repeat this year.Needless to say, this Ramadhan will definitely be different than last year's as my whole 'situation' is a wee bit different this year. It would certainly be a challenge for me but insya Allah, He will make it easy for me to fast, for His sake and His

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1156490492190346602006-08-25T15:15:00.000+08:002006-08-25T15:36:33.080+08:00

What could I possibly be talking about?To tell you the honest truth, there are many things out there that are just 'too much.'But for now, it is this whole Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk K nonsense.First of all, no, I did not watch her aqad nikah on tv; whether or not my aqad nikah was also held at Masjid Wilayah.Secondly, I do not really care if she wears a white or purple gown, or how big her ring is

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1148966447877254662006-05-30T13:14:00.000+08:002006-09-16T01:50:43.156+08:00

I get stared at.It is expected, I guess - since it would seem odd to many. Although rightfully, it shouldn't be.Whatever a vegetarian can eat, I can. Whatever a vegetarian can't eat, I can, as long as it is halal.So what's the big deal?The restaurant owners have 'gotten used' to the fact that there will occasionally be a hijab-ed customer patronising their eatery at lunchtime - but the other

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1148610220372389602006-05-26T09:55:00.000+08:002006-05-26T11:40:08.586+08:00

Of late, I notice that many people push for the freedom of anything one can find a name for - freedom of speech, freedom to live together although unwed, freedom to be half-naked, freedom to argue with parents, freedom of religion, freedom of this, freedom of that.People often forget, that they are born into this world with a purpose. And who knows best what that purpose is, except the Creator

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1146128376795304862006-04-27T16:45:00.000+08:002006-04-27T16:59:36.796+08:00

This is a rant. Something I don't do often on this blog.My current job requires me to have 'some' knowledge on IT along with 'some' of the Internet world mumbo-jumbo.And to tell you the truth, I am not very fond of it.I currently use this software as an information management tool, which also requires me to FTP it and to publish it on the Internet (which I have only just learned).Okay fine.I do

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1145809691342738212006-04-24T00:02:00.000+08:002006-04-24T00:28:11.393+08:00

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting some brothers and sisters in Islam who had set up stalls selling some pretty nice stuff from China at Amcorp Mall. Most of them were from Xi'an.Funnily, my mom was the one who was all game on me going, although she had already been there a week or two ago.Alhamdulillah, she does not mind telling people that I am her daughter now. Before, she would not

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1145342806661148882006-04-18T14:24:00.000+08:002006-04-18T15:08:40.576+08:00

It felt as if the sky split open and rain began to hit the earth. With every rumbling thunder, the building that I am in shakes. Glory be to Allah, the Creator of all things."It is God who has created the heavens and the earth and sends down rain from the skies, and with it brings out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He who has made the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1142845114578337752006-03-20T16:38:00.000+08:002006-04-26T12:38:40.896+08:00

Conversion stories. Or reversion stories, if you may like.Yesterday, I had the opportunity to listen to a conversion story of an American man who came to Malaysia as a Christian preacher serving in the jungles of Sarawak (and a medical doctor by profession); but who then reverted to Islam. Alhamdulillah.The really interesting part about his story was that he was never coaxed or even preached to

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1140675296421591632006-02-23T14:07:00.000+08:002006-02-23T14:20:08.083+08:00

It has been a long while since I last blogged. I must admit I was away for nearly two months, but am now back to the 'real world,' or so they call it. It was difficult to get back into the usual routine, slowly but surely.Real world or not, it will come to an end. Even if it doesn't yet, I know my life will.Being on the journey in that two months that I was away was a trying one, in all aspects -

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1133853848814377342005-12-06T15:19:00.000+08:002005-12-06T15:26:07.523+08:00

This sermon was, is, and will be the best sermon until the end of time. The Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) Last SermonThis sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul-Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' in Mecca.After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet (saws) said:"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1132130837909272502005-11-16T16:37:00.000+08:002006-04-18T18:17:10.483+08:00

They never fail to amaze me. Their persistence, courage, patience and tolerance I must say, are commendable.They go door to door, promoting the same thing, repeating what they say, subjecting themselves to rude remarks and rebuffs, etc. etc. The list is endless!Sad to say, 99% of the time, I am not interested in what they are selling. Oh, how I wish I was! I hate it when I have to say "I'm sorry,

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1129774489202675602005-10-20T09:19:00.000+08:002005-10-20T14:24:40.273+08:00

Endon Mahmood - wife of Malaysia's prime minister, passed away this morning. She suffered a 4-year battle with breast cancer. May Allah have mercy upon her soul and may He forgive her sins. Amin.In all honestly, I feel sad. I do not know her personally, but I have met her once. I think it was last year in Kepala Batas. It was merely a brief meeting when my mother-in-law introduced her to my

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1128588388092963572005-10-06T16:05:00.000+08:002005-10-06T17:09:16.450+08:00

I know I said I'd blog in this post about my 'hijab struggle,' but I think I will leave that for a later post, insya Allah.Today is the 2nd day of the Ramadhan fast for the Muslims in Malaysia. Pleasantly, I was looking forward to this Ramadhan more than I did last year, alhamdulillah. Maybe it's because I know a bit more about the reasons and rewards of fasting than I previously did.I remember

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1127358857421837842005-09-22T11:09:00.000+08:002005-09-22T11:16:03.086+08:00

A sister in Islam sent me something on the hijab (the Muslim cover of modesty, which would include the headscarf, i.e. the tudung, and loose dressing to hide the shape of a woman's body and a few more other details) a little less than a month ago, and I came up with a poem in response to her e-mail. Here it is:the desire is there, the purpose i see,a gradual process to a newly-dressed me;from

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1127110153986357822005-09-19T13:40:00.000+08:002005-09-19T14:12:29.050+08:00

It is lunch time now at work. It looks like it is going to rain soon, but somehow the rain is not coming. The wind is howling like nobody's business - but somehow the sound of howling wind reminds me of Allah. Naturally, for He created the wind. He causes the wind to blow. Everything happens by His will. He knows best. There is none like Him.If one just sits and starts to just think very simply,

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1124952138450901642005-08-25T14:40:00.000+08:002005-08-25T14:42:18.456+08:00

May Allah give me patience and guidance as I figure out what I really want to do in my life, career-wise. I have been given a job which I find much difficulty in creating an interest for it; but insya Allah, the interest will come soon. Or better yet, the notion on what I should do with regards to my career (or lack of it, whatever it may be) would dawn upon me. May Allah grant me patience,

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1124347517532778192005-08-18T14:38:00.000+08:002005-08-18T14:59:28.706+08:00

I received an e-mail from a fellow muslim brother asking me (or rather, he sent it to a newsgroup that I am part of) to fill up a job satisfaction survey. I must say, I was struggling a wee bit to complete Part A of the survey. But when I came to Part B... I surprised myself a great deal because I "strongly agree"d on all five items! Masya Allah... never in my wildest dream would I imagine that I

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1123649582715829082005-08-10T12:14:00.000+08:002005-08-10T12:57:37.673+08:00

My sister-in-law's car got hijacked yesterday, with her in it; right smack in the Tesco carpark in Mutiara Damansara. She was just getting into her car when she heard footsteps towards her car. And before she could do anything or even lock her car, one guy got into the seat next to the driver's seat, and the other got into the seat behind. The guy next to her pointed a knife at her arm (touching

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1122608414244401472005-07-29T11:38:00.000+08:002005-07-29T11:40:14.250+08:00

Have you read this?Have you seen this?How sick can it get?

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1122365608510152702005-07-26T15:56:00.000+08:002006-06-19T18:36:27.716+08:00

Okay, not really the best of the best, but one of the best things that I have found in Islam is that I can speak to Allah whenever, wherever! I must admit, it was one of the most liberating feelings I have ever felt, to realise that very fact. And I do not need any priest or monk or anyone else as an intermediary. I can speak to Him whenever I want to, wherever I am. I think that is such a gift

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1122007805044728022005-07-22T11:35:00.000+08:002005-07-25T16:12:14.786+08:00

I signed up for a montessori course at Sri Montessori Early Learning Sdn. Bhd. The first class (there were three of us newbies) was really interesting and it got me all excited and looking forward to the next class. However, the next class was an anti-climax of sorts, and I found that very disappointing. More so because I wasn't taking the course just for the heck of it, but because I believed in

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1121746950526893332005-07-19T12:16:00.000+08:002005-07-19T12:22:30.530+08:00

Dear Sir / Madam,If you have recently purchased the above-mentioned item at a price that is much lower than the price in the market, please consider this: The item could have been stolen.The URL to my was saved in Favourites and if you accessed this site by that chance, let me know. Or rather, I'd let you know that you have just bought something that was stolen. If you are a righteous and honest

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1121401071083988732005-07-15T11:00:00.000+08:002005-07-15T12:40:02.676+08:00

I attended a meeting yesterday and the boss of that company requested for my business card; she asked if I wanted to join her company. I just smiled. Then she proceeded to ask me what background I had; and I took the liberty to give her a short summary of my stint at DNA (no, not deoxyribonucleic acid), then my stint in Scotland, and my PA job to a cardiolgist - and she had this questioning look

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1121241157779566522005-07-13T15:48:00.000+08:002005-07-13T15:56:43.116+08:00

This is my unposted reply to a comment directed at me here, check out comment 56 and 57:-"Dear Infidel,You say you are judging Islam by the adherents and not the “apologists” (seems to be the term you have conveniently referred to me as). Did it ever occur to you to judge Islam (or anything for that matter) only AFTER you have learnt about it, from the right sources and with an open mind? Blindly

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1121132668485025422005-07-12T08:47:00.000+08:002005-07-12T10:09:12.390+08:00

Warning: This is going to be a long one. Do read with an open mind and heart.I was just looking through my previous blogs at Xanga and my goodness gracious me, what terrible language! Tsk tsk. Now, I can’t even remember the last time I used the word “b*tch.” Boy, was I angry and frustrated. Hmmm… I was going through some really tough times then, I was really very demoralised at that time. I even

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120783769942636262005-07-08T08:41:00.000+08:002005-07-08T10:03:51.920+08:00

There was a series of bomb attacks that struck the London transportation system yesterday. My brother-in-law stays just a stone's throw away from Edgware Station. He sms-ed Sharidz to say that he was okay, and that it was a good thing they left for work 1/2 an hour earlier than usual. Wikipedia reports 38 deaths thus far. It is not known how many were on the double-decker bus that was bombed.

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120701461104292822005-07-07T08:15:00.000+08:002005-07-07T15:12:48.570+08:00

Yesterday on Traxx FM (used to be Radio 4), the Flexx on Traxx crew, i.e. Double D and Roundhead brought up the topic of whether Malaysians would 'look up' in relation to this:- Sweden legalizes looking up ladies' skirts. Well, the article *may* be a hoax, most probably is; but the point that I am trying to make is that, 7 out of the 10 callers who participated in the poll just before the DJs

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120640545525806742005-07-06T08:10:00.000+08:002005-07-06T17:04:54.606+08:00

The vile stench in the kitchen was actually caused by a dead bird that had decided to crawl into the depths of our drainage in the kitchen to build a nice, comfortable nest. Hence the maggots and the awful smell. The contractor’s guys came over and cleaned it up. I am honestly glad I didn’t have to do it. I didn’t exactly see any semblance of a bird per se though, but as long as the smell ain’t

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120526139867896772005-07-05T08:20:00.000+08:002005-07-05T09:15:39.873+08:00

I stayed up till about 1.30am last night trying to make some changes to the choral speaking poem. Until last night, I had no inspiration to work on it since I got it (maybe coz I had to do it, hehe). Well, I managed to change quite a fair bit though; but unfortunately I cut out almost 3/4 of what was the original poem. Uh oh. I don't suppose Pn. Lyla and the other teacher would be too happy, eh?

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120438549665313542005-07-04T08:28:00.000+08:002005-07-04T09:00:40.143+08:00

Driving to work was a breeze this morning and I got to work on time, i.e. 8.25am; except for an encounter with a very (obviously) impatient driver at the traffic light after the tunnel in Tropicana. The traffic lights was blinking amber, i.e. no hard and fast rule, but drive with care. There was a stream of 5 or 6 cars coming from the opposite direction and they already had a flow going. There

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120182722544803242005-07-01T09:51:00.000+08:002005-07-01T10:01:14.916+08:00

However cliche'd it sounds, Thank God It's Friday! I just love it when Fridays come about, and what makes it even better is, I don't work on Saturdays anymore!! Woohoo! For those who think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, believe me, working on Saturdays ain't the best thing in the world at all. At the end of the week, the only 'weekend' you have is Sunday! I had a really great boss in my

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120093842777674962005-06-30T08:56:00.000+08:002005-06-30T09:10:42.783+08:00

My colleague is playing some cantonese rap song on his computer and blasting it in the office. Uh... sentimental cantonese songs are okay (not that I understand most of what they sing about anyway), but not cantonese rap. I've heard it now, and I don't like it. It's odd! Women rapping in cantonese. Of course, to each his or her own. Two women from Signature Kitchen came to our house yesterday,

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120033389599911462005-06-29T15:56:00.000+08:002005-06-29T16:27:44.726+08:00

Excuse my language in the title, but I think after all the grievances Sharidz and I had with Signature Kitchen, the supposedly professional kitchen cabinet designer and supplier, I think I have every reason to post this although I have already had my say for today. I do not think that I would want to get into the details of it all, but all I can say is that I beg to differ with all the good stuff

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1120008381838115202005-06-29T09:17:00.000+08:002005-06-29T09:26:21.840+08:00

I stay less than 10 minutes away from my current place of work, but it takes me almost 45 minutes to get to the office. This proves one thing. It doesn't really matter where you work or what you do because as long as there are traffic jams involved along the way, distance doesn't really matter. And like what my father always say, "The shortest route isn't always the fastest." It is very

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14014190.post-1119934394696079422005-06-28T12:21:00.000+08:002005-06-28T13:59:16.363+08:00

I have only just moved house about a couple of weeks ago. I'm moving blogs today. Here's a link to where I was and what I have rambled about before. Warning: There are some profanities in the earlier blogs, I must say, but not too much. It was just this part of my life that I went through which I know happened for a reason, but I don't really know why. But that's okay, it was certainly for my own

Rayhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11159727543391565836noreply@blogger.com0