Dear Sumayya,

In case if you ever wondered what does your name means, I'm going to compile a series of its meaning taken from various sources and as told by many other Sumayyas from all over the world, which I found on the internet. I hope you love the name we have chosen for you, and live by its meaning. I love you.

"hello, this friend of mine from Palestine once told me it means ‘from the sky" -Sumaiya Firoze

"Hi…well it was the name of the first lady martyr in Islam….the name sure does have a meaning….it means “Pure”…In urdu"-Sumaiya

"I heard from my parents that it means flower bud (we’re not Arabic), I love it like this". -Sumeyye

"Sumaiya is an Arabic name meaning “high above”.Yeah, Sumaiya (RAH) was the name of a lady companion of the prophet Mohammed (SAW) and was the first lady martyr in Islam and is highly respected". -MN

"My name is also Sumaiya….and i was named by my grandma because it was a name of a strong women (HZ Sumaiya – first women to die for Islam, a very strong lady spiritually, never backed down or gave up or changed her word) I’m happy with this meaning….it helps me in life when i feel like letting go i know i have to be strong coz that’s the meaning of my name. Also i imagine the First lady HZ sumaiya having the same name and try to be like her". -Sumaiya from UK

"I have a keyring which says Sumaiya means ‘Beautiful Flower’ I brought it from an Arabic shop. I hope that helps. -Sumaiya

Slmz to you all,I received this description of the person with my name…All of these aptly describe the person blessed with this unusual and beautiful name.

          “Sumaiya”

… of Arabic Origin
“First Female Matyr of Islam”
Looks to the heavens for inspiration
She has an artistic aura about her
As pure as the day she was born
Can enjoy a jolly good laugh
She shows courage when called upon
A teacher who is understood
Faithful friend in times of need
A perfectionist at heart

Sumaiyah – South Africa

"Sumaiya does mean high above and pure and is the name of a flower which I read somewhere is the name of a beautiful flower that grows on the highest part of a mountain so I reckon that flower sums up all the meanings of pure, high above and beautiful in one!" -Sumaiya

Sumaya is small Samia, it is an arabic name. Samia is the feminin of Sami, or Sam. And the root of the word in Arabic is somow. Somow mean to rise to high level. Sumaya thus good be translated into “her highness.”
Sumaya is the name of the first Muslim woman who was killed by the pagan, becoming the first muslim Martyr woman, killed because of her religious belief.
The name Sumaya however exists almost in every culture, it is written as Soumaya or Sumeya etc………………
Be that as it may, the name Sumaya is an old arabic name with a lot of meanings attached to it, see meaning of Sam, the masculin equivalent. -Sumaya

THERE WAS THIS URDU LITERATUR PROFESSOR(HE WAS AN ACQUAINTAINCE) I MET HIM IN HIS LAST DAYS…TOLD HIM MY NAME AND THAT I DONT KNOW ITS MEANING HE TOLD ME IT MEANS MOON LIGHT….. SO MAY BE WE CAN RELATE THE THREE MEANINGS WHICH WE HAVE FOR OUR NAMES : THAT IS HIGH ABOVE, PURE AND MOONLIGHT…. AND CONCUDE WITH IT… -Sumaiya Ahluwalia

So far I met with couple of arabic people and they told me it mean “high above” in terms of spirituality. -Sumeyye

I have another meaning 4 our ths unique name. It means “Heavenly”. I did search it from Google’s link. -Sumaiya Fatima Siddiqui

Apart from the ‘First Female Martyr of Islam’ There are so many meanings that have come up from all Sumaiyas and relatives on my post that am making a summary of it for easy reference.

a. lofty or exalted
b. pure or from the sky
c. flower bud or beautiful flower -Sumaiya

Dear Sumayya,

I love us so much, sometimes I feel like I dont want things to ever change. While you lie close to my chest and fall into deep sleep I love to stroke your super soft tiny fingers and wish that you never grow up and stay a baby forever so that I can cuddle you that way always. But thats just wrong right. Especially now when you're growing so fast and so healthy, oh I'm going to miss this moment Sumayya.

Ps: You look so adorable when you pucker up your upper lip and give that 'distant' look. Mama geram!

Dear Sumayya,

Some parents raise their children with the intention that, when these children grow up they will provide for the parents, financially. It's true, believe me. Well I don't want anything in return from you Sumayya. Being parents is an unpaid lifelong job assigned by God. Seeing the child happy, healthy and grow up to be a wonderful person is the ultimate reward for parents. At least that's how I see it. Mama ikhlas besarkan Sumayya. Insyallah at my old age, I'll have my pension to support me, and your Daddy by my side to accompany me. And you, I want you to go out and experience life. I want you to be a wonderful friend, a superb loving mother, a loyal partner to your husband, and successful in whatever profession you choose to have. I want you to live life, travel the world, take photography, do bungee jumping, climb Kinabalu Mount or whatever, do charities and be kind to everyone. That's all I want.

I love you.

PS: We had a small accident yesterday, involving my car and a small lorry. You were fast asleep in your car seat next to me, I was driving. Careless me! I should've been more careful, especially when you are in there with me. You cried when I left you in the car to talk things over with the lorry driver. You were probably scared to be left alone in the car. You cried tears. It always break my heart whenever I see your tears. I'm sorry sweet baby. I promise I wont let it happen again. Daddy was sweet enough to rush to the scene from his office. He later bought you your first bowling set to console you, right before we go home :')

Dear Allah, thank you for Sumayya ;)

Alhamdulillah

Dear Sumayya,

These days you sleep in our bed, nestled comfortably between Mama and Daddy each night. I dont think you like your cot very much. And Mama doesn't mind at all, because I love snuggling you at night and smell your heavenly natural smell. But in a few years Sumayya, there will come a time when you are going to decide that it is totally uncool to still sleep with your parents. I don't know yet where or which room is going to be yours, but I'm already planning what its going to be like, and I will want your opinion before we actually work on it. I have a few ideas which I got from Google, and I want you to see them. These design may be obsolete in a few years I know, but just give me the pleasure to dream and fantasize, for now :)

Hot pink walls with black and white furniture

Nude-colour everything matched with a colourful carpet

Mama loves the stripey wall!

Mama even more love the polka dot feature wall!!!Can we just go for this one?

LOVE the bed, and the hanging lamps

So what do you think, Sumayya?

Dear Sumayya,

I'm sorry if I don't pick you up as often as you would like, its just that you grow up so fast and you're getting heavier and heavier each day. I try to make it up to you by singing to you during nursing time, I hope you like it even though I sing off pitch for most of the time. We bought you a walker and you seem to enjoy it, everyday you acquire new skill and you proudly show it off to us when we get back from work. You are simply the most adorable baby I know, and I'm not just saying this because you're my baby.I love you Sumayya.

You and Daddy. I'll ask Daddy to snap a picture of you in your new ride soon.

Dear Sumayya,

The big flood hit our hometown last weekend, and it almost reached our house. It was a close call, both main roads near the area were closed for a few days. Though our house was not affected, the water and electricity supply were cut out due to complications caused by the flood itself. My main and utmost concern was for you Sumayya. Luckily you managed to sleep through the first few hours sans electricity because your swing and fan are battery operated. Eventually Daddy decided to take us to Penang until after things get better.

You had a good time there in Penang Sumayya. I remember your expression when we entered our hotel room. You were looking at me as if to confirm where we were. At night we took you for a stroll at the famous night market (Daddy bought you a pink cheongsam and a bubble gun) and the next morning we brought you to the beach. It was your first time, and it turned out you were scared of the strong waves, so we left only after a few minutes there. Daddy managed to capture some beautiful shots of you though. And you had a very good time at both Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall. You simply love shopping mall don't you? When you get a little older maybe we can go back there again, rent a super nice hotel room with swimming pool, and spend time together with Daddy. I can't wait. I love you Sumayya.

Sumayya, ini muke orang ke muke pau?

Your first time at the beach

Now don't you look like doll?

Daddy's best snapshot so far ;)

Mama's personal fave picture

Uh oh. Someone left their doll on the high chair

PS: I had a rather 'different' childhood than most people did, and though I don't expect you to understand it, I want you to know that its important for me to make sure you have a happy childhood and grow up healthy. I will support you in whatever you do and I will love you unconditionally.When you become an adult I want you to be able to say "I got everything I wanted as a kid and I love my parents for that". I love you.

Dear Sumayya,

The other day Daddy took us to Tasik Darul Aman for an evening stroll. You loved it. You love outdoor and people so much. I wonder what will you be when you grow up?

When you are a little older we'll go kite-flying there okay? I promise.

Dear Sumayya,

You're like the expensive, life-like baby doll I never had as a kid.

Dear Sumayya,

You are one cheeky baby, aren't you? You just can't stop making us (especially Daddy, especially Daddy) laugh ourselves silly with all your adorable little antics. Whenever we put you down on the bed, you try to get up, you stiffen up your neck and legs, eventhough you can't even do proper tummy time yet. When we put you on our laps you always try to lunge forward, like you are ready to get on your two tiny feet and run.

Whenever you are nursing and Daddy talks to me, you will let go of my nipple and try hard to turn around to face your Daddy, like it's really important for you not to miss what he's saying. You make manly, gurgly farting sound when you poop. Its even funnier when you burp and fart simultaneously. Sometimes you do fake cry or fake cough just to get our attention. When you were a few days old you have this habit of crying loudly for one second and fall asleep the next second. When you make a fuss before bedtime and we worry and begin to talk about it, you start to giggle at us.

Sometimes you just squeal and giggle for no reason. You are one happy baby, Mama always say. You are a morning person too, the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is smile or coo. You are so funny Sumayya. So sweet. I love you.

Dear Sumayya,

I want to buy you the Little Bee bikini. I already did!

I want to make you cupcakes with Strawberry butter toppings. 

I want to send you to piano classes. 

I want to take you on a trip to Kota Kinabalu. 

I want to take you on a shopping spree on your birthday. 

I want to teach you writing. 

I want to make crafts and arts with you when I get home from school. 

I want to paint your dream bedroom in your favorite colour. 

I want to read you stories. 

I want to dress you in super cute dresses I ordered for you when I was only 5 months pregnant. 

I want to cuddle you to sleep at night. 

I want to buy you ALL the toys and books I can afford. 

I want to buy you make ups when you turn 18. 

I want to meet your first boyfriend.
I want to plan your wedding and go crazy about it. 

I love you.

Dear Sumayya,
You were born on the 19th of May 2010. My water broke at about 5.30 am in the morning.Daddy drove me to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah and you were born 12 hours later, at 5.15pm. Apart from the insane, out-of-this-world painful contractions, giving birth to you was a pretty enjoyable experience for me, mainly because I was drugged from the waist down. Daddy was there to hold my hand for a brief moment, seconds before you came out. Then he had to leave the room under the doctor's order, because I couldn't push hard enough they had to opt using the vacuum to get you out of mama's tummy.

The first time I saw you, I fell in love with you. You had skinny legs. And soft thick hair. And slanted eyes. They put you on my belly, and you were so tiny, weighing at only 2.98kg. I touched you and you were sticky. I swear you were the most beautiful newborn I know. You look so cute and adorable, like a newborn kitten. I love you sweet Sumayya.

Dear Sumayya,

Yesterday was Mama and Daddy's 2nd wedding anniversary. Daddy took us out for dinner to celebrate this. We went to Damiral's Grill, our favorite eatery. I was thinking of having a romantic dinner for two, but Daddy insisted that we bring you along.We are going to make it our tradition to include you in our wedding anniversary dinner each year. We want you to be there to celebrate with us. I love Daddy, but remember, not as much as I love you ;)

Last week prior to our anniversary, Daddy bought me this adorable pink fuchsia handbag at the Village Mall, Sungai Petani. I totally took my time browsing through the shop and I finally chose this beauty. Daddy sangat sweet kan? I didn't get Daddy any present though, but I'm saving it for his birthday which will be in November.

P/S: Daddy is getting better and better with his photography skills. I'm so proud of him.

Dear Sumayya,
When Mama and Daddy first discovered we were pregnant with you, I came up with a list of possible names that I think would suit you.

Sumayya Aldan

Sumayya Amanda

Sumayya Anne

Sumayya Lily

We were going to call you Fayyad Evan if you turn out to be a boy.I love the idea of combining Arabic and English names into one, but Daddy had other ideas.He said Sumayya is a lovely enough name for you.And I agreed.That's how it goes in our little family, Sumayya.When it comes to decision-making time, I will draw out possible options, and I will make the decision-with Daddy's approval, of course.I'm looking forward to the day when we'll be able to include you in this, which is going to be very soon!

Love,

Mama