070799, that was the date, according to hubby, that we went to ROMM to register for our nikah. I didn’t quite remember the date but I definitely remember all the details of that day, the day that seal our fate together.
Our nikah was slated for 061199 and the sanding 071199. And if 7 is the ‘lucky’ number for us, our engagement so happened was 070299.
What did we do on 070707?
We cleaned and scrubbed the new house that we will be moving into this weekend. Cleaned, scrubbed and sneezed for me.
The week earlier, the hubby and the maid had the kitchen sertu-ed, while I was at work. That day 070707, we thoroughly cleaned the whole house, with floor cleaners, and all sorts of disinfectant plus Walch (had told hubby to buy Dettol but he bought Walch instead) – floors, toilets, windows, doors etc.
Hubby volunteered to pick up son from madrasah and sent him to swimming class. This was usually my routine but he volunteered because he wanted to escape more cleaning work. Yes, escape because he gave me that look, the look that says it all. You know, men and cleaning. So I was with the maid, cleaning whatever corners I can see. There will be a bit more cleaning to do before we move in, the little crevices here and there, and then hopefully the mover will take care of the big items. This is the first time we engaged a mover to move things from the house, because we have troubled our siblings enough with our previous moves. And because, moving is a labourous job that should be the work of our menfolk, but then again these days, it seemed, the menfolk are not ‘labourous’ type. Really. I know hubby will complain of backache, and all sorts of aches after that.
I had prepare mee soto in the morning. So we had lunch of mee soto in the house in between our rest breaks. While waiting for hubby to come back with the boy, I had my shower. It was already late in the afternoon so we went home, had our second round of mee soto for dinner before we hit the sack. Just too exhausted to think. The next day, it was packing and de-cluttering day in the current house. De-clutter, pack and sneeze….
Yes, that’s me because I’m so allergic to dust. I’ve been called Rudolph for my red nose, whenever the sneeze bug hit me. It’s terrible. Only those who suffered the same ailment as me will know.
It’s gets crazy when you have so many things that you haven’t seen in a while because they were either stashed or stacked somewhere in the storeroom. Now you wonder whether you really need them. Because if you do, you need space to keep them as space is a definite constraint in the new smaller apartment, but if you don’t, it’s definitely good-riddance. Getting rid of something is never easy, but I learned from a tv show ‘Clean House’ while in Alabama, that it can be very therapeutic. I am trying to instill a mindset in me of what I haven’t missed, are surely things I have not needed, and don’t need at all. It’s like getting rid of that irritating old boyfriend (or girlfriend) – good riddance to bad garbage!
It’s good therapy to get rid of junk but it’s overwhelming to pack and unpack…and we will probably do this again in a year’s time… oh well…it’s the life of a nomad? Yes? No?
5 comments:
What did the Prophet do, when his daughter Fatimah asked for some assistance with the household chores??? : }
wahhhh rumah baru....
welcome me over eh? hehehhe
i agree tt most men r not for cleaning the hse. I think its the upbringing...then again maybe not. My mum is a clean freak. I became one when i hv my own home. My #2 bro (the sick one)...hes a 'cleaner' too, the 'anak dara' one. stay at home help mak. Of cos a little less as he grows older. still can be depended on. #3...meticulous only on himself. Nice, smart, clean...but not so much on the house.
DH doesnt like cleaning too. However, since we got married he's slowly doesnt like mess in the hse. Unfortunately I still hv to do the chores all by myself most of the time. His excuses, 'not as clean as u do it', 'i'm allergic to dust' etc.
my bros r asthmatic so it was difficult when they help ard the hse. my bro had to wear mask when he throw away the vacuum bag (last time the bags hv no seal). my DH, he will be itchy away when dust touches him. aiyooo...
i just finished painting the study room and children's bedroom. the body is aching. yes did it all by myself. did u reno ur new place? or just clean up
Salam Fikri,
Thanks for asking. It made me do a little research on that. Here is what I gathered from the internet.
Ali (as) (Fatimah’s husband) once said to her, when he saw the signs of great hardship and suffering on her: 'What if you go to your father to ask for a servant to relieve you a little?' She refused, as she was shy to ask the Messenger of Allah (saw) for such request. Therefore, when they arrived, it was Ali (as) who said to the Prophet (sawa): 'She grinded with the mill until her hands became hard, and it affected her chest, and swept the house until her clothes became dusty.' However, the Prophet (saw) replied: 'Would you like me to teach you something? If you learn it, it would be better than the servant: if you go to sleep say Allahu Akbar 34 times and Alhamdu Lillah 33 times and Subhan Allah 33 times. It is better for you than the servant!'
They said: 'We are satisfied with Allah.'
To know more about the wisdom and virtue of Fatimah, please read this:- http://www.al-islam.org/fatimahrolemodel/5.htm
In any union, it takes both husbands and wives to contribute equally or otherwise, as long as agreed upon without any selfishness or contempt, for as long as it is for the good of the family in the name of Allah. So here’s another account for the man’s part, and exemplary character would have been our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw), in which many men (hint: my hubby), could strive to learn and emulate.
Aishah (as) reported that when the Prophet (saw) was home, he would help with the household chores, treat his family amicably, and maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the home. Our Prophet not only attended to his own personal needs and helped his wives in the house, he even stitched and mended his own clothes. He demonstrated that a man is never too great to clean and look after himself, and he imparted the following advice:
"The best among you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to his family"
"The most perfect believers are the best in conduct and the best of you are those who are best to their wives"
"Many women have come to the family of Muhammad complaining about their husbands... Those husbands are not the best of you"
"By assisting your wives in their household duties, you will receive the reward of sadaqah (charity)"
"A believer must not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he should be pleased with another"
"When a woman breast feeds, for every gulp of milk she will receive a reward as if she had granted life to being, and when she weans her child, the angels pat her on the back saying, 'Congratulations! All your past sins have been forgiven, now start all over again"
"O women! Remember that the pious among you will enter Jannah before the pious men"
"During pregnancy until the time of childbirth, and until the end of the suckling period, a woman earns reward similar to that of the person who is guarding the borders of Islam"
Taken from here : - http://www.islaam.net/main/display_article_printview.php?id=1145
It definitely takes two to tango. Whether it is 1400 years ago, or this current modern day context, if a woman is willing and can contribute part of her economy to the betterment of the household, bearing in mind that in Islam, she has no obligation to part or use any of her assets except however she pleases, the man could also contribute in the home economics part – the cleaning, scrubbing, sewing, mending etc. If cannot, it’s ok, I wouldn’t mind BUT pleassssee get professional help fast… thank you very much. :)
Hi Tina,
I'm moving to another rental place, so no reno, just cleaning. Anyway, Insya Allah, one day, why not come over to my humble rental abode...anyway, if i ever need a painter, I would know who to call :)
Salam sister,
I know you will eventually bring this thing up...
"Aishah (as) reported that when the Prophet (saw) was home, he would help with the household chores, treat his family amicably, and maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the home. Our Prophet not only attended to his own personal needs and helped his wives in the house, he even stitched and mended his own clothes. He demonstrated that a man is never too great to clean and look after himself, and he imparted the following advice:
"The best among you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to his family"
------------- to eventually lead to this:
"When a woman breast feeds, for every gulp of milk she will receive a reward as if she had granted life to being, and when she weans her child, the angels pat her on the back saying, 'Congratulations! All your past sins have been forgiven, now start all over again"
------------and finally this....
"During pregnancy until the time of childbirth, and until the end of the suckling period, a woman earns reward similar to that of the person who is guarding the borders of Islam".....
That is why in Islam women are consider as gems... Alhamdulilah!
So as you did your research on all the above, am sure you realise and you should feel proud being a Muslimah. Further more you a mother.....
A very famous Hadith..
"Messenger of Allah, who is the most deserving of good care and respect from me?" The Prophet replied: "Your mother (which he repeated three times) then your father, then your nearest relatives in order".
Sorry sister, I respect your view and understand this blog is just for you to vent out you thoughts and maybe frustration. Just remember if you doing your part and if its gets too tough, "Alhamdulilah!" Why ??? With God grace, paradise is waiting for you.
The tougher it is the higher your status in the paradise, Alhamdulilah...right!
But maybe you could print this to your hubby or e-mail to him...but then again perhaps in modern day context its slightly diff. A husband who can afford will pay for the assistance in the house...then again it would be nice to have that loving human touch..right.
apologise for the long comments.
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