Tag Archives: umrah

Unseen Blessings

Posted in Ponderings & Personal Development by

As a mark of respect, I approached my superior a few months ago to request a particular leave. I wanted to go to Umrah. Knowingly, the date my husband chose for Umrah fell during the Chinese New Year holidays. I was aware that my Chinese colleagues would be taking leave during that time but I thought if I could negotiate in the sense that I would give up my Raya holidays instead, I could go for the Umrah during CNY.

My superior however suggested that I choose a different date instead.
The reason is, it is not about CNY leaves but it is about how much manpower is left to run the clinic with our colleagues going off for the festive season. After relaying the matter to my husband, him being him, decided to proceed with the booking for himself and my son, Ee. Haneem will stay behind to accompany me. Thus, I consoled myself into thinking that ‘Allah belum jemput. Nanti ada rezeki lagi‘.

After a few months, today, I discovered that 2 non-CNY celebrating colleagues had their leaves approved by my superior in addition to those who are celebrating. On the same date that I have requested a few months ago.

I am not going to lie. I felt slighted. I was numb for a while but I still completed my task at work. At the same time, I tried to justify the decision and it came to this. Maybe my request was not approved because my plan was to stretch it out for at least a week after CNY. After all, performing Umrah takes some time. As opposed to my colleagues who are probably on leave for only that one Friday to enjoy a longer weekend.

Yes, maybe that’s the reason why. Sounds just.

Now my hope lies in the ASB Simpan dan Menang contest. If I don’t withdraw my ASB dividend and manage to save RM5K/month till March, I might have a chance to go for Free Umrah. Ha ha ha ha. In the end, I reminded myself that everything happens for a reason, and perhaps this delay is part of a greater plan yet to unfold.

Thank you Andalusia for taking care of my parents…

Posted in Everyday Life, Leisure & Travel by

“Absence makes the heart grows fonder”

Alhamdulilah.. my elderly parents had returned safely from their Umrah last weekend. It worries me that both are ASA 2 and are travelling to a country with the Mers-coV outbreak at the moment. On top of that, they chose to stay and perform the fast in a very humid country.

However, I convinced myself that Allah knows best. And he will protect them regardless as they are going there to get closer to Him.

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Prior to their departure, I had bought each of them a 1L water bottle to quench their thirst. Also, supplies of essential medication on top of their usual anti-hypertensives and anti-diabetic drugs. So it was a pack full of :

  • paracetamol
  • chlorpheniramine
  • benadryl
  • lomotil
  • metochlopromide
  • oral rehydration salt

… just in case.

In fact, these are part of my routine meds that I bring with me whenever I go travelling. I’d bring syrup paracetamol and kool-fever patches for my son too.

Despite my worries, I believe they are in the safe hands of Andalusia. After all, this is a reputable company with their Umrah packages. Mom told me they were in good hands and they have the experience to handle large groups of old people. They also provide complimentary classes prior going for the Umrah so that the jemaah would have a more meaningful ibadat there.

Now that my parents are back, I can’t wait to pay them a visit this weekend!

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