From Lakeside Walks to Family Meals: A Week in Review
🚶♂️ Daily Walk Reflections: Appreciating Allah’s Everyday Blessings
Today’s walk was a little different. Rather than focusing on a single morning, I thought I would reflect on some of the simple blessings we’ve enjoyed over the past week.
We left the house at around 7:30am and walked around the Putrajaya lake. One of the most striking sights was a brother standing by the lakeside in prayer. The scene was peaceful and a reminder that no matter how busy life becomes, there should always be time to turn back to Allah. I’ve included a couple of photos below.
One thing that struck me as I watched the brother praying by the lake was how easy it is to practise Islam in many Muslim countries.
Living in Malaysia, it is common to see people praying in public parks, offices, shopping centres and rest areas. Mosques and prayer facilities are never far away, and it is a blessing that many people perhaps take for granted.
Growing up and working in England was often very different. When I worked at Burger King at Heathrow Terminal 2, there was no prayer facility available to us, so during my break I would walk all the way to Terminal 3 because they had a prayer room there. Looking back, it seems like a long walk just to perform a prayer, but at the time it was simply what needed to be done.
Later, when I worked for British Airways, one manager suggested that I pray in the toilet because there was nowhere else available. In another department, I was told to use the aircraft parts storeroom. These experiences taught me not to take the ability to pray openly and comfortably for granted.
So when I saw a brother standing peacefully by the lake this morning, performing his salah without fear, embarrassment or inconvenience, it reminded me of a blessing that many Muslims around the world still do not enjoy.
Allah says:
“And whatever blessing you have – it is from Allah.” (Qur’an 16:53)
The Companion Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said:
“The believer sees Allah’s blessings upon him in everything.”
Sometimes we appreciate a blessing most when we remember a time when it was difficult to obtain.
The next day we visited EZ Café, which specialises in durian. As it is currently durian season in Malaysia, we couldn’t resist stopping by. The café is located close to the lake, making it a great place to relax after a walk.
What surprised me was the number of Chinese tourists there just for the durian. The café was busy, with people from different backgrounds all coming together to enjoy Malaysia’s most famous fruit.
As I sat there eating durian, I found myself reflecting on the creation of Allah. The durian is often called the “King of Fruits” — covered in a hard, spiky shell, yet containing such a rich, creamy and distinctive taste inside. SubhanAllah, I was amazed at how Allah created such a unique and delicious fruit. It is one of the countless signs of His creativity, wisdom and provision that we often take for granted.
“Then let mankind look at his food.” (Qur’an 80:24)
Sometimes the simplest blessings, such as a piece of fruit, can remind us of the greatness of the One who created it.
The following day, we visited a traditional Malay restaurant called Rumah Makan Bumbu recommended by my dear friend Haji Amin. In my opinion, it serves some of the best Malay food in Putrajaya. The atmosphere was relaxed, the food was excellent, and it was a reminder of how blessed we are to have so many wonderful local eateries nearby.
The restaurant is located beside the wetlands, and the views of the greenery are incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Surrounded by nature, it feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. As we sat enjoying our meal, it was easy to appreciate the beauty that Allah has placed around us.
The restaurant has only recently opened, and the setting feels more like a resort than a restaurant. With its beautiful surroundings, traditional Malay cuisine and tranquil atmosphere, it is definitely somewhere we will visit again.
Then, the next day, we travelled as a family to Nasi Lemak Wanjoh in Kuala Lumpur. Many people consider it among the best nasi lemak in Malaysia, and after our visit, I can certainly understand why. More importantly, it gave us another opportunity to spend quality time together as a family.
I had seen numerous YouTubers and social media influencers recommend the restaurant, which was one of the reasons we decided to visit. It also made me reflect on the enormous influence that social media has on our thoughts, behaviour and decisions. A single video can encourage thousands of people to visit a restaurant, buy a product or travel to a particular destination.
While social media can be beneficial, it is also a reminder that we should be careful about who influences us and what we allow into our minds. As Muslims, our opinions, values and priorities should ultimately be guided by the Qur’an and the Sunnah rather than by trends, algorithms or influencers.
May Allah protect us from being influenced by that which is harmful and guide us towards that which brings us closer to Him.
“And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah.” (Qur’an 6:116)
In a world where so many voices compete for our attention, the greatest blessing is to remain firmly guided by the Book of Allah and the authentic teachings of His Messenger ﷺ.
What connects all of these moments? Gratitude. Whether it is seeing someone worshipping Allah, enjoying halal food, spending time with family, or simply taking a walk around the lake, every blessing comes from Allah.
Allah says:
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour].”
(Qur’an 14:7)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer. Verily all of his affairs are good for him.”
(Sahih Muslim)
The early scholar Al-Hasan Al-Basri رحمه الله said:
“The world is only a few days. Whenever a day passes, part of you passes with it.”
A reminder to appreciate the blessings around us, use them in obedience to Allah, and thank Him for the countless favours that often go unnoticed.
Have a blessed day everyone.