Simple Arabic for Ramadhan

Every Ramadhan, I feel compelled to work on small projects that promotes Islamic Beliefs & Knowledge while strengthening Ukhwah. Last Ramadhan was one of the best, working along a whole group of online community for an Amal project with an Orphanage.

However this year, when I thought I was more motivated than ever, I actually did nothing. I've not done nothing for many years, so obviously this fact disturbs me. I chose to spend a joyous Eid with family (in SG) over spending a peaceful and spiritual Ramadhan in Riyadh, and I'm paying a heavy price for it. Without support from the environment, my Husband's gentle reminders and good friends to go tarawih with, I'm quite lost, and hopeless this Ramadhan.

So why blog. I am actually frantic about my inactivity this Ramadhan, which includes poor performance of Ibadah. I'm trying to catch up these last 10 days of Ramadhan, but who am I to fool? Allah is all Hearing-All Knowing. But HE is also merciful, HE must have heard me saying countless times how badly I have done this Ramadhan, and have watched me doing nothing about it. HE heard, and so HE gave me an idea.

So I decided to impart a small knowledge that may be useful to some people. I'd like to share with non-arabic speaking muslims on how to use simple Islamic phrases at the right places.

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Most common mistakes people make with Arabic phrases...

The most common mistake people make is with the phrases 'Alhamdulillah, Subha-Allah, Masha-Allah'

Arabic English
Shukran : Thank you

Shukran means Thank you, but it is not to be used to Thank Allah after a sentence. You cannot say, "I passed my exams, Shukran!" It is not even grammatically right to use Shukran in this manner because it will just mean "I passed my exams, Thank you!" For Thanking Allah, the best way is to say, ALHAMDULILLAH which means, "Praise Be to Allah!"

You can say Alhamdulillah in many cases, e.g :

When someone commented on your well-being
"Alhamdulillah, It's all from Allah.."

When you finish eating
"Alhamdulillah, that was delicious..."

(There is a lot to thank Allah for, so technically, you can use this daily and constantly...!)

'Abdallah b. Amr reported God's messenger saying that "Praise be to God" (Al-Hamdu Lillah) is the beginning of thanksgiving, for the man who does not praise God has not thanked Him." ³

But if you wish to say thanks to a fellow muslim, it is better to say "Jazakallahu Khair" (May Allah reward you for the Good), and if you heard this phrase being said to you, you can say "Wa iya kum" (And to you too)

What about "Masha-Allah"
I've heard this phrase being used in the most absolutely wrong places.

"I saw an accident, Masha-Allah!"
"That muslim is behaving badly, Masha-Allah!"
If you think these sentences are right, then you SO have to read on. Literally means "Whatever Allah (God) wills" However, Masha-Allah is normally used on occasions where there is surprise or in praise of Allah's gifts. For example you can say it...

When you see a beautiful baby
"Mashaallah, What a lovely baby!".

When your sister gets accepted into University
"Mashaallah, That is great news! Congratulations!"

When you realise that your friend is now a politician
"Mashaallah, I can't believe you became a politician!"

When to use Subhana-Allah then? Let's first understand its meanings. Subhanallah means Glory be to Allah. This phrase is often used when praising God or exclaiming awe at His attributes, bounties, or creation. It can also be used as a phrase of exclamation (ie. "Wow!").

You can use this phrase...

When you see a bird hatching from its egg
"Subhanallah, Look at the miracle"

When you hear an amazing story from the Quran
"Subhanallah, you mean the baby can talk?"

That's all I have for now. If you have any questions, or would like to find out if you are using the phrases correctly, do leave a msg on my comment box. May it be useful to whoever reads it, spreads it, and uses the phrases in the correct form, so that we may become better muslims for remembering to praise the Almighty for all that He has bestowed on us. Ameen.


http://muslimmatters.org/2008/01/07/alhamdulillah-a-linguistic-miracle-of-the-quran/
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary/term.JAK.html
http://www.islamic-dictionary.com/index.php?word=mashallah
http://islam.about.com/od/glossary/g/subhanallah.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/scarves/sayings.html

Story from the Quran
http://www.islamfortoday.com/galvan03.htm

May your ramadhan be a lot better than mine....

Proverb

May Bygones be Bygones...

I was very nervous about the meeting. The venue is set, at my sis' Rita's place. The bus arriving from Singapore was late due to bad traffic. It was pouring heavily that day, and we were stranded and waiting for a cab to bring us there. I was getting anxious. I can see that my husband is very tired from the trip and the waiting and so are the kids. I was anticipating his complains, but there was none.

When we got there, my mom was already there. She look different than I recalled. Younger I think. She was accompanied by her 2 children, N & A. The house was filled with chatter, I must admit, the kids helped break the ice. I think I introduced my mom as 'my mother' to Habibi, and N as 'step sister', but later realized she was in fact my 'half sister'. I'm not sure if it was ok to introduce Mom as 'my mother', but I already did. It was awkward sometimes when we got lost for words, but the chinese movie running on the LCD TV on the wall helped as we deliberately use it to conceal the stagnant pauses.

I can tell Rita was a little awkward, she admitted it later, saying how uncomfortable she was before I came. It's hard to catch up when we don't really know where to start. It must have been more than 10 years since I last saw my Mom, and at least 5 years since I last saw Rita. I believed Mom was the most uncomfortable of all, eventhough she had N & A with her. N was really warm and friendly, just as she was more than 10 years ago, bubbly and cheerful. She stayed with us while Mom wanted to go home that night. A, her youngest son went with her. She made us promise to come to Perak, where she now lives, for lunch the next day. I made her promise to cook for me my favourite 'Lemak Cili Api'.

Next day.

Rita asked me if I am game to rent a bigger 7-seater so that we all can go together instead of driving 2 smaller cars. I agreed, it was a very comfortable family car, and we made that trip to Perak in only an hour or so. Soon as we reached, I could smell my mom's cooking, and we immedicately helped ourselves to the feast she prepared for us. Lemak Ketam Cili Api, Assam Pedas Ikan Duri, Pucuk Paku, etc... I must have helped myself to at least 3 plates of rice. Beras kampung really does taste different. My mom, I noticed didn't say much, but I'm counting that my enthusiasm about her cooking made her happy. Right after the feast, we were treated with baskets of local fruits, Rambutan, Manggis...and Durian! She made a lot of effort, I can't help but noticed. I wanted so much to take her picture, but I'm worried that she may turn me down flatly, so I took general pictures, so as not to make it so obvious. She tried to befriend our children, playing with them, feeding them. She even bathed Ibni and I let her. It felt like a whole family, as if we've never been separated all our lives.

Later that evening, I summed up courage to ask N, my half sister, the question that was burning me the whole night before. I really wanted to know if N, and all her siblings, knew about Rita & me. I wonder if they officially knew that we are infact, their elder half sisters. I wanted to know what is allowed to be out in the open and what is supposed to be underwrapped. As much as I like everyone to be honest, I have to respect and be sensitive to my Mom's feelings and situation. But Alhamdulillah, N assured me that it is already known to them. I'm still not sure if they had just assumed it, or was told, but I guess it is not important anymore. What's important is that Mom and her children accepted us. I didn't realise that when I moved into my mom's house 10 years ago, I was opening a pandora's box. My existence then triggered many questions and almost blew her secrets, but I must give credit to her late husband, who was the most understanding and loving to her despite her past baggages.

I hope to be in contact with them frequently and visit whenever I'm in town. Even Rita seems happy about the whole meeting, eventhough she was apprehensive at first. I'm really grateful to Allah who gave me this priceless opportunity to be with my 'family'. We may all lead different lives, but we are still related strongly by blood. It is for this reason that I promise to continue to keep in touch no matter where I am. It was only a 2 days visit, but the memories will be with me forever.

Mom called the next day I arrived in SG. I was pleasantly surprised. Again, I didn't have much to say, but I was bursting with happiness. I think my job is done.

***AL Fatehah to my step father, a celebrated song-writer/photo editor/artist mgr who passed away on June 2008. He was a kind man, a man who would give his all for his beloved wife and children. He passed away soon after building a house for his wife, my Mom. Terimakasih Pakcik, semoga Allah membalas segala jasa baik pakcik, dan semoga roh Pakcik bersama dengan orang2 yang Allah kasihi. Ameen.