Hong Kong Part 1

Day 1
Arrived at the airport at 5:20 pm after a 4-hour flight.  Took the 24-min MTR to the city, then a cab to one Brighton Hotel on Lockhart Street in Wanchai.  The tiny 27-floor hotel was so new that the cab driver missed it the first time around. He drove right past it to one Broadway Hotel which was next to the first halal restaurant on sight.  A happy mistake.  We had our first dinner there.  Lamb biryani.

Day 2
Excellent weather.  Walked Daddy to Hong Kong Convention Center where the 8th World Congress on Engineering Asset Mangement & 3rd International Conference on Utility Management and Safety was being held.  Daddy was presenting his paper in the afternoon session, and wanted to sit in the early keynote speeches.

From the HKCC, I was on foot and on my own, to simply explore and kill time.  Went to Hennessy, Johnston and O'brien Road.  I must have passed at least 3 different Watson stores before stumbling upon a wet market, not much unlike the Pasar Besar Ipoh, on a smaller scale.

Daddy pesan, "kalau sesat, cari Wanchai MTR station." Tak sesat pun...

Walked past many bakeries, including one Mark and Spencer Food Store, offering tantalizing goodies, but I couldn't make myself buy anything with no halal sign.  By 11 am, I'm back in the hotel room, munching on energy bars which we brought from home, fighting for energy and concentration to start (yes, start) grading my students' STPM mock exam papers. And yes, I brought those papers from home too. *sigh.

Full-time housewife in Malacca

Almost a week now.. being a full-24hr homemaker in Taman Bertam Setia, Malacca.  Not much of a homemaker actually,since this is not our home.  But this is by far our nicest home-away-from-home.  The owners of this Homestay obviously put a lot of thought and effort to make this 2-storey terrace house a comfortable temporary abode for us.

Daddy's job requires him to be in Malacca for 8 weeks and Daddy managed to arrange it so that the period overlaps our 6-week year-end school holidays.

Went to Taman Buaya on Tuesday (Deepavali holiday).  If you think crocodiles can scare Ryan, think again. The kids had fun in the sun, boarded the newly-built train and 'almost' went into the Ghost House. Light shopping by the roadside.  Cincalok ( A must), dodol durian (the best I ever tasted), wajik (totally different than Perak wajik) and gula Melaka (for my Mom). Lunch at AEON.

Off to Planetarium Melaka on Thursday (Maal Hijrah holiday), right after receiving the news of the birth of Noi's third child, Ilhan Aidan at 8.08 am. Weghing 3.3 kg, Aidan was a beautiful bundle of joy.  If every thing goes as plan, we will be home to see Aidan on Sunday, insya Allah.

My Bandung Experience 22-26/9/12

Day 1

Late breakfast. Skipped lunch. Missed dinner. Finally a late supper in Bandung city at 10:30 pm. White rice, tempe + petai goreng, kikil and ayam penyet (Rp 79500).  Around this time last year we headed to Paris, that too on empty tummies. We break our 5th day Syawal fast eating KFC meals then. (We completed the 6-day fast on French soil, and celebrated the raya and our 22nd Hijrah wedding anniversary in the Romance City). That was last year.  Now it's time to visit Indonesia.  So going honeymoon on empty tummies is kind of becoming our private tradition now..

The reason for today's rush - me grading the STPM trial papers. Last year I brought the bundles of students' answer scripts all around France and was profusely grading the papers while Daddy attended his conference. I wasn't much unlike the conference attendees with those bundles of papers. My colleagues were aghast when I relate my experience grading students' exam papers in the conference room.

 This year I was adamant not to bring any work, let alone any sensitive government documents with me.. mainly because I don't want anything to take me away from my main agenda of.. SHOPPING.

Day 2.

Missing the little ones.

Fortunately we were able to video chat last night, though it was already past their bedtime by the time we were able to connect. Apparently the little ones had lunch at a kenduri and went shopping in the afternoon right after we left.

Started Day 2 off with heavy breakfast at the hotel. So heavy that it took us another 3 hours before we were able to drag our feet out of the hotel room to Pasar Baru shopping complex. But once the shopping started, it just went on and on.  Had lunch at the Food Court.White rice, ayam panggang, lotek ( vege dish with peanut sauce ) , sop asem with assortment of veges including lotus seeds and betel nuts and es kelapa muda ( coconut drink infused with milk, sugar and rose flavor ). Rp 64000. Continued with another round of shopping. Returned to the room for zohor and asar. Third round of shopping (the complex is a 6-floor building, with merchandise lined up to the brim) ends with growling tummies which led us to Restoren Bebek Bakar just around the corner. A new word for me today - bebek is 'duck' in Indon. Make it two new words - obral means 'sale '. Oh yes!!

Dinner was white rice, sop buntut (oxtail clear soup), ayam goreng and es alpukat (iceblended avocado). Rp  54000. Notice that the price of our meal shrinks? That's because the meal portion here is extraordinarily large and we just began learning to share.

My feet were especially supportive during the shopping.  They started aching the minute we exit the pasar building. Now that I am safe and sound in my room, I pray that they will support me again at the Factory Outlets tomorrow.

We didn't exchange a lot of RM for Rp before coming here specifically because this is a work trip for Daddy, and not supposed to be a shop-til-you-drop trip. The damage done today came out to be in millions (Rp ). There is still a few millions left.  Daddy must have seen the worried look on my face. Don't worry Ly, the FOS do take credit card, he said.

Don't you just love it when your husband says some thing like that? Or may be I did miss a tinge of sarcasm in his voice just now. Let's just assume there was not.

The day ended with a video chat with the kids.  Iman called.

Day 3

A day before we left for Bandung we changed ringgit for rupiah. Every million Rp cost us RM383. As I said, we didn't change nearly enough. So the first order of business for today is to get more Rp. After getting some help with the directions, Daddy was able to find a Moneychanger nestled among the FOS. And now it cost us Rm 344!! Lucky break, eh? Alhamdulillah. And you know that THAT can only mean one thing, right?

There are a lot of interesting food being sold hawker -styled along the road of the FOS.  And I mean a lot.  Fritters of all kinds, pisang/ tapai/ubi goreng, bakso, gadogado, iced jeruk, sandwiches of a variety of colors, rojak, tahu sumedang, ceker, mie kocok, currypuffs as big as the palm of your hand and ondeh-ondeh as big as a fist.  Daddy cautioned against buying them.  Our stomachs may not be able to take the beating, he said.  So for now we are sticking with indoor food outlets. But the temptation to try the the hawker food is surely mounting.

We had our lunch at a Foodcourt at Matahari Shopping Complex. Fried rice with iga (ribs) bakar, ikan puyu goreng, vegetable soup, tempe goreng, tahu goreng, bakso goreng and bottled water. (Rp64500).

A short visit to a Toko Buku turns out to be a very fruitful shopping experience. We bought the Amazing Al -Quran Cordoba. Really looking forward to enjoy the holy book.

Our shopping session ended early today, not because we ran out of shops to patron or cash to burn.  But rather it was the ageing body that begged to stop. My Hush Puppies shoes somehow stopped being comfortable; and my brain hurts from all those ringgit - rupiah conversion calculation.

We decided to pack dinner. Rice with nila (talapia) bakar, ayam bakar,  fresh salad, gadogado, coconut and alpukat (avocado) drinks. Rp60000. Dinner and a movie in the hotel room. And then followed by a half can of almond brownie chocolate ice cream while chatting with the kids. I went to bed while Daddy was still hard at work preparing for tomorrow.

Day 4

I woke up with an excruciating cramp in the stomach.  Some of the food decided to travel up the way they entered.  If I had to guess, I'd say it was the gadogado.  Daddy didn't touch any of it, given his aversion to vege. This was the actual price of taking too much food, too many variety at a time when the body was being pushed to work at its max.  And at my age, the max wasn't skyrocketing high.

It was D-day for Daddy. 2012 ISBEIA- International Symposium on Business, Engineering and Industrial Applications.   He presented his paper and chaired one of the sessions.  He presented many papers before, but this was his first as Dr Masdi Muhammad.

I spent the day alone in the room, channel surfing.  When was the last time I channel-surfed?  Sometime before my first child learn to operate the remote control.

I skipped lunch.  Daddy came home bearing McD dinner.  No more local cooked food for me was the conveyed message.  I was already deaf to the world when Daddy chatted with the kids.

Day 5

Last minute shopping to avoid bringing home any rupiahs.  Ryan got another 5 shirts.  Additional 2 pair of pants for Mommy and several blouses for the girls.  Finally Daddy bought a Bandung t-shirt.  How come the bargain got better just as the time shortened and cash dwindled?

Arrived at the Husein Sastranegara Bandara Bandung an hour before the flight home. Alhamdulillah, our luggage weighed 35 kg, still below the 40 kg limit. (We came with 8 kg luggage ).  There was still some Rp left, enough to buy 3 kek kukus (steamed cakes) at Kartika Sari Bake Shop, for half of what it would cost us in Malaysia.  It would have been even nicer if its calories were halved too.

Arrived home at 9:15 pm. Sarah, Dayana, Izzah and Ryan arrived about half an hour later, driven by Tok Wan.  It's great to be home, with family again.  It is a school night; they need to be in bed early. They walked into their bedrooms with hands carrying their new clothes and accessories.

Consulted Mr S.  49.2kg.  :D.  The food poisoning helped to keep the weight in check.

Things to remember for the next visit to Bandung.

1.  Arion Swiss Belhotel is a great place to stay.  Convenient location and friendly staff.  2.  For a million Rp you can get an mpv plus a supir to drive around the city for 3 days.

3.  Traffic is crazy here, you need to be brave to cross the road.  (I never let go of Daddy's hand).  Honking might be considered rude in some countries, but here it is an effective way to let others ( drivers and pedestrians ) know that your big, bad vehicle  is passing through.  So try not to take offense.

4. Tasty snacks here include cheese-covered bananas, kacang bandung, and soursop dodol.  I didn't have enough guts to try more.  And yes, my guts aren't too strong either.

5.  Taxi drivers here are much more polite than those back home.  But of course, they charge more ( for the courtesy?).  The "angkutan kota" , small mini vans that ferry passengers around the city without closing their doors may be cheaper if you have the guts for them. 

New Wheels on Daddy's birthday

15 Ramadhan 1433

Went out shopping.  Instead of the usual mall, which was extremely packed - by the look the jammed traffic along the way, we headed out to a Hundyai dealer.  We were the only patrons, and were jovially greeted by a lone salesperson there, Brannen Look.  One thing led to another, money changed hands, and a car is promised in a week.  A great birthday gift eh.. except the car we are buying (AJA 5590) fits my needs more than Daddy's.  Call me selfish.. but this car will definitely go to school, not the university.  Thank you and Happy Birthday Darl..

Doa Harian Bulan Ramadhan

Doa Hari Pertama
Ya Allah, Jadikanlah Puasa Ku Sebagai Puasa Orang-Orang Yang Benar-
Benar Berpuasa. Dan Ibadah Malam Ku Sebagai Ibadah Orang-Orang Yang
Benar-Benar Melakukan Ibadah Malam. Dan Jagalah Aku Dan Tidurnya
Orang-Orang Yang Lalai. Hapuskanlah Dosa Ku.

Wahai Tuhan Sekalian Alam.
Dan Ampunilah Aku, Wahai Pengampun Para Pembuat Dosa.

Doa Hari Ke-2
Yaa Allah, Dekatkanlah Aku Kepada Keridhoan-Mu Dan Jauhkanlah Aku
Dari Kemurkaan Serta Balasan-Mu. Berilah Aku Kemampuan Untuk Membaca
Ayat-Ayat-Mu Dengan Rahmat-Mu, Wahai Maha Pengasih Kepada  Semua
Pengasih.

Doa Hari Ke-3
Ya Allah, Berikanlah Aku Rezeki Akal Dan Kewaspadaan Dan Jauhkanlah
Aku Dari Kebodohan Dan Kesesatan. Sediakanlah Bahagian Untuk Ku Dari
Segala Kebaikan Yang Kau Turunkan, Demi Kemurahan-Mu, Wahai Dzat
Yang Maha Dermawan Dari Semua Dermawan!

Doa Hari Ke-4
Ya Allah, Berikanlah Kekuatan Kepada Ku, Untuk Menegakkan Perintah-
Perintah-Mu, Dan Berilah Aku Manisnya Berdzikir Mengingat-Mu.
Berilah Aku Kekuatan Untuk Menunaikan Syukur Kepada-Mu, Dengan
Kemuliaan-Mu. Dan Jagalah Aku Dengan Penjagaan-Mu Dan Perlindungan-
Mu, Wahai Dzat Yang Maha Melihat.

Doa Hari Ke-5

Ya Allah, Jadikanlah Aku Diantara Orang-Orang Yang Memohon Ampunan,
Dan Jadikanlah Aku Sebagai Hamba-Mu Yang Sholeh Dan Setia Serta
Jadikanlah Aku Diantara Auliya’-Mu Yang Dekat Disisi-Mu, Dengan
Kelembutan-Mu, Wahai Dzat Yang Maha Pengasih Di Antara Semua
Pengasih

Doa Hari ke-6

Ya  Allah, Janganlah Engkau Hinakan Aku Karena Perbuatan Maksiat
Terhadap-Mu, Dan Janganlah Engkau Pukul Aku Dengan Cambuk Balasan-
Mu. Jauhkanlah Aku Dari Hal-Hal Yang Dapat Menyebabkan Kemurkaan-Mu,
Dengan Anugerah Dan Bantuan-Mu, Wahai Puncak Keinginan Orang-Orang
Yang Berkeinginan

Doa Hari Ke-7

Ya  Allah, Bantulah Aku Untuk Melaksanakan Puasa di siang hari Dan Ibadah Di
Malam hari. Jauhkanlah Aku Dari Kelalaian Dan Dosa-Dosa. Dan
Berikanlah Aku Dzikir Berupa Dzikir Mengingat-Mu Secara
Berkesinambungan, Dengan Taufiq- Mu, Wahai Pemberi Petunjuk Orang-
Orang Yang Sesat.

Doa Hari Ke-8

Ya  Allah, Berilah Aku Rezki Berupa Kasih Sayang Terhadap Anak-Anak
Yatim Dan Pemberian Makan, Serta Penyebaran Salam, Dan Pergaulan
Dengan Orang-Orang Mulia, Dengan Kemuliaan-Mu, Wahai Tempat
Berlindung Bagi Orang-Orang Yang Berharap

Doa Hari Ke-9

Ya  Allah, Sediakanlah Untuk Ku Sebahagian Dari Rahmat-Mu Yang Luas,
Dan Berikanlah Aku Petunjuk Kepada Ajaran-Ajaran-Mu Yang Terang, Dan
Bimbinglah Aku Menuju Kepada Kerelaan-Mu Yang Penuh Dengan Kecintaan-
Mu, Wahai Harapan Orang-Orang Yang Rindu.

Doa Hari Ke-10

Ya  Allah, Jadikanlah Aku Diantara Orang-Orang Yang Bertawakkal
Kepada-Mu, Dan Jadikanlah Aku Diantara Orang- Orang Yang Menang
Disisi-Mu, Dan Jadikanlah Aku Diantara Orang-Orang Yang Dekat Kepada-
Mu Dengan Ihsan-Mu, Wahai Tujuan Orang-Orang Yang Memohon.

Doa Hari Ke-11

Ya  Allah, Tanamkanlah Dalam Diriku Kecintaan Kepada Perbuatan Baik,
Dan Tanamkanlah Dalam Diriku Kebencian Terhadap Kemaksiatan Dan
Kefasikan. Jauhkanlah Dariku Kemurkaan-Mu Dan Api Neraka Dengan
Pertolongan-Mu, Wahai Penolong Orang-Orang Yang Meminta Pertolongan.

Doa Hari Ke-12

Ya  Allah, Hiasilah Diriku Dengan Penutup Dan Kesucian. Tutupilah
Diriku Dengan Pakaian Qana’ah Dan Kerelaan. Tempatkanlah Aku Di Atas
Jalan Keadilan Dan Sikap Tulus. Amankanlah Diriku Dari Setiap Yang
Aku Takuti Dengan Penjagaan-Mu, Wahai Penjaga Orang-Orang Yang Takut.

Doa Hari Ke-13

Ya  Allah, Sucikanlah Diriku Dari Kekotoran Dan Kejelekan. Berilah
Kesabaran Padaku Untuk Menerima Segala Ketentuan. Dan Berilah
Kemampuan Kepadaku Untuk Bertaqwa, Dan Bergaul Dengan Orang-Orang
Yang Baik Dengan Bantuan-Mu, Wahai Dambaan Orang-Orang Miskin.

Doa Hari ke-14

Ya  Allah, Janganlah. Engkau Hukum Aku, Karena Kekeliruan Yang Ku
lakukan. Dan Ampunilah Aku Dari Kesalahan-Kesalahan Dan Kebodohan.
Janganlah Engkau Jadikan Diriku Sebagai Sasaran Bala’ Dan Malapetaka
Dengan Kemuliaan-Mu, Wahai Kemuliaan Kaum Muslimin.

Doa Hari Ke-15

Ya  Allah, Berilah Aku Rezki Berupa Ketaatan Orang-Orang Yang
Khusyu’. Dan Lapangkanlah Dadaku Dengan Taubatnya Orang-Orang Yang
Menyesal, Dengan Keamanan-Mu, Wahai Keamanan Untuk Orang-Orang Yang
Takut.

Doa Hari Ke-16

Ya  Allah, Berilah Aku Kemampuan Untuk Hidup Sebagaimana Kehidupan
Orang-Orang Yang Baik. Dan Jauhkanlah Aku Dari Kehidupan Bersama
Orang-Orang Yang Jahat. Dan Naungilah Aku Dengan Rahmat-Mu Hingga
Sampai Kepada Alam Akhirat. Demi Ketuhanan-Mu Wahai Tuhan Seru
Sekalian Alam.

Doa Hari Ke-17

Ya  Allah, Tunjukkanlah Aku Kepada Amal Kebajikan Dan Penuhilah
Hajat Serta Cita-Cita Ku. Wahai Yang Maha Mengetahui Keperluan,
Tanpa Pengungkapan Permohonan. Wahai Yang Maha Mengetahui Segala
Yang Ada Didalam Hati Seluruh Isi Alam. Salawat Atas Muhammad saw Dan
Keluarganya Yang Suci.

Doa Hari Ke-17

Ya  Allah, Sedarkanlah Aku Akan Barakah-Barakah Yang Terdapat Di Saat
Saharnya. Dan Sinarilah Hatiku Dengan Terang Cahayanya Dan
Bimbinglah Aku Dan Seluruh Anggota Tubuhku Untuk Dapat Mengikuti
Ajaran-Ajaran agamaMu, Demi Cahaya-Mu Wahai Penerang Hati Para Arifin.

Doa Hari Ke-19

Ya  Allah, Penuhilah Bahagianku Dengan Barakah, Dan Mudahkanlah Jalanku Menuju Kebaikan-Kebaikannya. Janganlah Kau Jauhkan Aku Dari Kebaikan- Kebaikannya, Wahai Pemberi Petunjuk Kepada Kebenaran Yang Terang.

Doa Hari Ke-20

Ya  Allah, Bukakanlah Bagiku Pintu-Pintu Syurga Dan Tutupkanlah
Bagiku Pintu-Pintu Neraka, Dan Berikanlah Kemampuan Padaku Untuk
Membaca Al-Quran. Wahai Penurun Ketenangan Di Dalam Hati Orang-Orang
Mu’min.

Doa Hari Ke-21

Ya  Allah, Berilah Aku Petunjuk Menuju Kepada Keridhoan- Mu. Dan
Janganlah Engkau Beri Jalan Kepada Setan Untuk Menguasaiku.
Jadikanlah Syurga Bagiku Sebagai Tempat Tinggal Dan Peristirahatan,
Wahai Pemenuh Keperluan Orang- Orang Yang Meminta.

Doa Hari Ke-22

Ya Allah, Bukakanlah Bagiku Pintu-Pintu Kurnia-Mu, Turunkan Untuk
ku Barakah Mu. Berilah Kemampuan Untuk ku Kepada Penyebab-
Penyebab Keridhoan-Mu, Dan Tempatkanlah Aku Di Dalam Syurga-Mu Yang
Luas, Wahai Penjawab Doa Orang-Orang Yang Dalam Kesempitan.

Doa Hari Ke-23

Ya  Allah, Sucikanlah Aku Dari Dosa-Dosa, Dan Bersihkanlah Diriku
Dari Segala Aib. Tanamkanlah Ketaqwaan Di Dalam Hatiku, Wahai
Penghapus Kesalahan Orang-Orang Yang Berdosa.

Doa Hari Ke-24

Ya  Allah, Aku Memohon Kepada-Mu Hal-Hal Yang Mendatangkan Keridhoan-
Mu, Dan Aku Berlindung Dengan- Mu Dan Hal-Hal Yang Mendatangkan
Kemarahan-Mu, Dan Aku Memohon Kepada-Mu Kemampuan Untuk Mentaati-Mu
Serta Menghindari Kemaksiatan Terhadap-Mu, Wahai Pemberi Para
Peminta.

Doa Hari Ke-25

Ya  Allah, Jadikanlah Aku Orang-.Orang Yang Menyintai Auliya-Mu Dan
Memusuhi Musuh-Musuh Mu. Jadikanlah Aku Pengikut Sunnah-Sunnah
Penutup Nabi-Mu, Wahai Penjaga Hati Para Nabi.

Doa Hari Ke-26

Ya  Allah, Jadikanlah Usaha ku Sebagai Usaha Yang Di syukuri, Dan
Dosa-Dosa ku Di ampuni, Amal Perbuatan Ku Diterima, Dan Seluruh Aib
ku Di tutupi, Wahai Maha Pendengar Dan Semua Yang Mendengar.

Doa Hari Ke-27

Ya  Allah, Rezkikanlah Kepadaku Keutamaan Lailatul Qadr, Dan Ubahlah
Perkara-Perkara ku Yang Sulit Menjadi Mudah. Terimalah Permintaan
Maafku, Dan Hapuskanlah Dosa Dan Kesalahanku, Wahai Yang Maha
Penyayang Terhadap Hamba- HambaNya Yang Soleh.

Doa Hari Ke-28

Ya  Allah, Penuhkanlah Hidupku Dengan Amalan-Amalan Sunnah, Dan
Muliakanlah Aku Dengan Terkabulnya Semua Permintaan. Dekatkanlah
Perantaraanku Kepada-Mu Diantara Semua Perantara, Wahai Yang Tidak
Tersibukkan Oleh Permintaan Orang-Orang Yang Meminta.

Doa Hari Ke-29

Ya  Allah, Liputilah Aku Dengan Rahmat Dan Berikanlah Kepadaku
Taufiq Dan Penjagaan. Sucikanlah Hatiku Dan Dosa-dosa Fitnah Wahai
Pengasih Terhadap Hamba- HambaNya Yang Mukmin.

Doa Hari Ke-30

Ya  Allah, Jadikanlah Puasa ku Disertai Dengan Syukur Dan Diterima
Di Atas Jalan Keridhoan-Mu Dan Keridhoan Rasul, Dan Segala Puji Bagi Allah Tuhan Sekalian Alam

KEUTAMAAN MENGERJAKAN SOLAT DHUHA

Ianya Amalan Berbentuk Sedekah

Bagi setiap anggota sendi serta ruas-ruas tulang perlu mengeluarkan sedekah bagi menunjukkan ketaatan kita kepada Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. Justeru itu solat Dhuha adalah amalan yang dapat menunaikan tanggung jawab tersebut. Daripada Abu Dzarr radhiallahu’ anh, daripada Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, baginda bersabda:

يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلاَمَى مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ فَكُلُّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ

وَكُلُّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْيٌ عَنْ الْمُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ

وَيُجْزِئُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَكْعَتَانِ يَرْكَعُهُمَا مِنْ الضُّحَى.

Maksudnya:
Bagi tiap-tiap ruas dari anggota tubuh salah seorang di antara kalian harus dikeluarkan sedekahnya setiap pagi hari. Setiap tasbih (Subhaanallah) adalah sedekah, setiap tahmid (Alhamdulillah) adalah sedekah, setiap tahlil (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) adalah sedekah, setiap takbir (Allahu Akbar) adalah sedekah, menyuruh untuk berbuat baik juga sedekah, dan mencegah kemungkaran juga sedekah. Dan semua itu boleh diganti dengan dua rakaat solat Dhuha. - Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim dalam Shahihnya, Kitab Sholaatul Musaafiriin wa Qashruha, no: 720.

q Allah Memberi Rezeki Yang Cukup Sepanjang Siang Hari
Bagi mereka yang mengerjakan solat Dhuha Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala sentiasa mencukupkan segala keperluan seseorang sepanjang siang hari. Daripada Nu’aim bin Hammar, dia berkata: Saya pernah mendengar Rasulullahshallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda Allah Azza Wa Jalla berfirman:

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لاَ تُعْجِزْنِي مِنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ فِي أَوَّلِ نَهَارِكَ أَكْفِكَ آخِرَهُ.

Maksudnya:
Wahai anak Adam, janganlah engkau sampai tertinggal untuk mengerjakan solat empat rakaat pada permulaan siang (waktu Dhuha), nescaya Aku akan memberi kecukupan kepadamu sampai akhir siang. - Hadis riwayat Imam Abu Dawud dalam Sunannya, Kitab al-Sholaah, no: 1097.

q Mendapat Pahala Sebagaimana Mengerjakan Haji Dan Umrah
Bagi mereka yang mengerjakan solat Subuh secara berjemaah lalu tetap berada dalam masjid dengan berzikir kepada Allah dan mengerjakan solat Dhuha pada awal terbitnya matahari maka dia mendapat pahala seperti mengerjakan haji dan umrah. Daripada Anas radhiallahu’ anh, dia berkata: Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallambersabda:

مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ

ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ.

Maksudnya:
Barangsiapa mengerjakan solat Subuh secara berjemaah lalu sesudah itu dia tetap duduk (di masjid) untuk berzikir kepada Allah sehingga matahari terbit (dan meninggi), kemudian solat (Dhuha) dua rakaat maka dia akan mendapat pahala sebagaimana pahala haji dan umrah. Dia berkata (Anas), Rasulullah bersabda: Yang sempurna, Yang Sempurna, Yang Sempurna. – Hadis riwayat Imam al-Tirmidzi dalam Sunannya, Kitab al-Jumu’ah, no: 535.

q Ia Solat Bagi Orang Yang Bertaubat
Solat Dhuha adalah termasuk bagi solat untuk orang-orang yang bertaubat (Sholat Awwabin). Daripada Zaid bin Arqam bahawasanya Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam keluar menuju tempat Ahli Quba’ yang ketika itu mereka sedang mengerjakan solat Dhuha. Baginda lalu bersabda:

صَلاَةُ الأَوَّابِينَ حِينَ تَرْمَضُ الْفِصَالُ.
Maksudnya:
Solat Awwabin (orang-orang yang taubat) dilakukan pada saat teriknya matahari. - Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim dalam Shahihnya, Kitab Sholaatul Musaafiriin wa Qashruhaa, no: 748.


v TATACARA PERLAKSANAAN SOLAT DHUHA

q Waktu Mengerjakan Solat Dhuha
Waktu untuk mengerjakan solat Dhuha adalah sewaktu matahari mulai naik iaitu sebaik sahaja berakhirnya waktu yang diharamkan solat setelah solat Subuh (12 minit setelah matahari terbit atau untuk lebih berhati-hati laksanakannya setelah 15 minit) sehingga sebelum matahari condong atau tergelincir ketika tengahari (10 minit sebelum masuk waktu Zuhur atau untuk lebih berhati-hati laksanakannya sebelum 15 minit). Menurut Syaikh al-‘Utsaimin di dalam Asy-Syarhul Mumti’:

Jika demikian, waktu solat Dhuha dimulai setelah keluar dari waktu larangan solat pada awal siang hari (pagi hari) sampai adanya larangan saat tengah hari.

Namun demikian waktu yang afdal adalah pada saat matahari panas terik. Demikian adalah dalil-dalil tentang waktu mengerjakan solat Dhuha:

Daripada Anas radhiallahu’ anh, dia berkata: Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam bersabda:

مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ

ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ.

Maksudnya:
Barangsiapa mengerjakan solat Subuh secara berjemaah lalu sesudah itu dia tetap duduk (di masjid) untuk berzikir kepada Allah sehingga matahari terbit (dan meninggi), kemudian solat (Dhuha) dua rakaat…– Hadis riwayat Imam al-Tirmidzi dalam Sunannya, Kitab al-Jumu’ah, no: 535.

Sabda Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam:

صَلاَةُ الأَوَّابِينَ حِينَ تَرْمَضُ الْفِصَالُ.
Maksudnya:
Solat Awwabin (orang-orang yang taubat) dilakukan pada saat teriknya matahari. - Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim dalam Shahihnya, Kitab Sholaatul Musaafiriin wa Qashruha, no: 748.

q Jumlah Rakaat Solat Dhuha
Jumlah rakaat solat Dhuha paling minimal adalah dua rakaat dan ia boleh dikerjakan tanpa batasan jumlah rakaat yang tertentu. Sebelum ini penulis telah memaparkan hadis-hadis berkaitan solat Dhuha yang dilaksanakan dengan dua dan empat rakaat. Berikut adalah dalil yang menunjukkan ianya juga boleh dikerjakan dengan sebanyak enam, lapan dan dua belas rakaat.

Daripada Anas bin Malik radhiallahu’ anh bahawasanya Nabi shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam pernah mengerjakan solat Dhuha sebanyak enam rakaat – Hadis riwayat Imam al-Tirmidzi dalam kitab al-Syamaail, Bab Sholat al-Dhuha, no: 273.

أُمِّ هَانِئٍ فَإِنَّهَا قَالَتْ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ دَخَلَ بَيْتَهَا يَوْمَ فَتْحِ مَكَّةَ

فَاغْتَسَلَ وَصَلَّى ثَمَانِيَ رَكَعَاتٍ.

Maksudnya:
Daripada Ummu Hani’, dia berkata: Pada masa pembebasan kota Makkah, dia bertemu Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam ketika baginda berada di atas tempat tertinggi di Makkah. Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam beranjak menuju tempat mandinya lalu Fathimah memasang tabir untuk baginda. Selanjutnya Fathimah mengambilkan kain dan menyelimutkannnya kepada baginda. Setelah itu baginda mengerjakan solat Dhuha sebanyak lapan rakaat – Hadis riwayat Imam al-Bukhari dalam Shahihnya, Kitab al-Tahajjud, no: 1176.

Di dalam Fathul Baari al-Hafidz Ibnu Hajar rahimahullah telah membawa sebuah riwayat seperti dibawah:

وَعِنْد اَلطَّبَرَانِيّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَبِي اَلدَّرْدَاءِ مَرْفُوعًا مَنْ صَلَّى اَلضُّحَى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ مِنْ اَلْغَافِلِينَ ,

وَمَنْ صَلَّى أَرْبَعًا كُتِبَ مِنْ اَلتَّائِبِينَ , وَمَنْ صَلَّى سِتًّا كُفِيَ ذَلِكَ اَلْيَوْمَ ,

وَمَنْ صَلَّى ثَمَانِيًا كُتِبَ مِنْ اَلْعَابِدِينَ , وَمَنْ صَلَّى ثِنْتَيْ عَشْرَة بَنَى اَللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي اَلْجَنَّةِ

Maksudnya:
Dalam riwayat al-Thabarani daripada hadis Abu Darda’ secara marfu’ disebutkan: Barangsiapa solat Dhuha dua rakaat, maka tidak ditulis sebagai orang-orang lalai, barangsiapa solat Dhuha empat rakaat maka ditulis sebagai orang-orang yang bertaubat, barangsiapa solat Dhuha enam rakaat, maka dicukupkan untuknya pada hari itu, barangsiapa solat Dhuha lapan rakaat, maka ditulis dalam golongan ahli Ibadah, dan barangsiapa solat Dhuha dua belas rakaat maka dibangunkan untuknya rumah di syurga. – rujuk Fathul Baari, jilid 6, ms. 349 ketika al-Hafidz mensyarah hadis Shahih al-Bukhari no: 1176. Namun status hadis ini diperselisihkan olah para ulamak hadis. Musa bin Ya’qub al-Zami’i yang terdapat dalam sanad hadis ini telah didha’ifkan oleh Ibnu al-Madini namun dinilai tsiqah pula oleh Ibnu Ma’in dan Ibnu Hibban. Al-Hafidz sendiri berkata sanad hadis ini lemah namun diperkuatkan oleh hadis Abu Dzar yang diriwayatkan oleh al-Bazzar hanya sahaja sanadnya juga lemah dan apa yang lebih tepat hadis ini dha’if. Wallahu’alam.

Berkaitan dengan dalil yang menunjukkan jumlah rakaat solat Dhuha ini tidak ada batasan yang tertentu adalah:

مُعَاذَةُ أَنَّهَا سَأَلَتْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا:

كَمْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي صَلاَةَ الضُّحَى؟

قَالَتْ: أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ وَيَزِيدُ مَا شَاءَ.

Maksudnya:
Daripada Mu’adzah, dia berkata: Aku bertanya kepada ‘Aisyah: Berapa rakaat Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam mengerjakan solat Dhuha?
Dia menjawab: Sebanyak empat rakaat lalu baginda menambahnya lagi menurut yang dia kehendaki. - Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim dalam Shahihnya, Kitab Sholaatil Musaafiriin wa Qashruhaa, no: 719.

q Ringkasan Tatacara Mengerjakan Solat Dhuha

Rakaat Pertama
1) Berniat di dalam hati untuk mengerjakan solat Dhuha
2) Takbiratul Ihram
3) Doa Iftitah
4) Membaca surah al-Fatihah
5) Membaca Surah al-Qur’an
6) Rukuk
7) Iktidal
8) Sujud
9) Duduk antara dua sujud
10) Sujud kali kedua
11) Bangun untuk rakaat kedua

Rakaat Kedua
1) Ulang seperti rakaat pada pertama dari nombor (4) hingga (10)
2) Duduk untuk tahiyyat akhir
3) Memberi salam ke kanan dan ke kiri

Langkawi was our first honeymoon destination in Malaysia, back in 1992,  if you can call a trip with a screaming 2-year old son and both my parents (as babysitters) as a honeymoon.  Then a year later we went again, this time with Daddy's younger siblings Masniza and Mazuan.  And in 1996, I went for a 1-week course in Kuah, sent by JPN Kedah.  Here we are, almost 20 years later, just us, a family of eight, in Permata Kedah.

Day 1

Left home at 9am. Dropped kembara for routine service at our trusted mechanic's home.  Off to Kuala Kedah. Upon arriving at the jetty, we were approached by 4 men on motorcycles, directing us to park our car at their homes. Dayana was quick to comment,"Daddy, jangan percaya orang-orang ni..". Alhamdulillah after searching a little bit, we found a parking spot inside a primary school, SK Haji Ismail compound. By then the noon tide was coming in, and sea water was rising ankle-high on the streets. We would have to "raduk" the sea water to get to the jetty on the other side of the street, but as our luck has it,  two JKR officers who were chilling in the school compound, offered us a ride in their 4WD. May Allah bless those men.

Hopped on the ferry at 1:30 pm per stated on the tickets. The ferry journey was from 2 to 3:30 pm. Had lunch at Hameed's Restaurant at the jetty. A disappointing eating experience. Suffice to say that there won't be a next time for us in that restaurant ever.

Daddy picked up a rental. Wira PFD 1791. It was quite a feat to fit 8 people in it. We managed to get to Landcons Hotel around 5.  Took a walk around town. Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Day 2

Today started with a bit of window shopping at The Zone, which was just across the street from our hotel.  We then walked to the Underwater World. Lunch at Zul Ikan Bakar, somewhere along the road to Pantai Kok.  We saw a couple of patrol cars parked in front of it and uniformed cops eating inside.  Sure enough, this wasn't the hyped tourists' hangout. The patrons looked local, and the price proved it.  Great kampung-style lunch under RM50, dessert of cendol pulut included. Daddy and kids spent the hot afternoon in the hotel new swimming pool, while mommy and Ryan napped.

We planned to get dinner from the night market, but a sudden heavy downpour landed us at the Mann's Cafe, right in the middle of tourists' spot. Our dinner looked good, but tasted a bit bland.  Never reached the night market.  We decided to call it a night after making a wrong turn for the second time.  They said you couldn't be lost in Langkawi Island.  We proved them wrong.

Meal times were still quite stressful with Ryan.  He has yet to grasp the notion that when we spoonfeed him, we have his best interest in heart and mind.

Day  3

Island hopping started at 9am. A van picked us up from the hotel and brought us to a place where a jetty is still under construction.  Soon we were riding fast on an open sea,well..  as fast as a speed boat was able to carry a family of eight. Daddy n Ryan swam in Tasek Dayang Bunting.  Swimming in the sea was the highlight of the day in Pulau Beras Basah, right after eagle feeding in one of the many islands.

Got back to the hotel around 2 and went straight into the hotel pool. Only Ryan n mommy got up to the room to shower in comfort n privacy.

Daddy n mommy walked to the nearest restaurant to have briyani lunch ( the best!!) at the Tomato Restaurant, and brought home packed lunch for the tired n hungry kids who were fast asleep when we got home.  Daddy wanted to have his favourite tandoori meal at the same restaurant for dinner, but vetoed by the kids. Dinner was at Hj Jelani Restaurant, where the chefs, waiters and staff were all Thais. The food was tasty, but the quantity overwhelmed us. None of us could finish our dinner. Or may be we were just still too full from our late lunch. Then again, may be we were too eager to get back to the hotel to watch the Matrix 

( for the upteenth time ) on tv.  The tv in the kids' room was still blaring past midnight.  Ours was switched off before Neo made his second appearance.

Day 4

The day started early with breakfast at the Tomato Restaurant. Usual rounds of tosei, roti canai and nasi lemak.  Then off for a walk on the Cenang Beach.  The waves were too strong for a dip.  Headed back to the rooms to pack.

Checked out at 12. Did some obligatory shopping in Kuah.  The Haji Ismail Group offered some of the best deals.  Simple lunch at KFC, mainly to please kids.  The ferry ride home was at 5pm. The sea got the better of me.  It was a case of too- much -chocolate- just -before- bumpy- ferry- ride.  Arrived at Kuala Kedah Jetty at 10 to 7. All too happy to see our loyal Citra. Another stop by the road side for me - all because somebody unwrapped another piece of chocolate in the car.  Other than that, the 3-hour journey was quite uneventful.  The sugar rush kept the kids from falling asleep.
We stopped for dinner in Seberang Jaya.  Daddy finally had his tandoori chicken, and shared with Mommy, who conveniently finished her dinner a tad too quickly.  Solat in Gunung Semanggol R&R.
Home at 12:15 am.  Consulted Mr S.  52.6 kg.  Must be the biryani.. and tandoori...Ah well.. I am too happy to let a 3-kg dead weight ruin my mood.  Night night..