The Special One in your Life

Marriage is never a bed of roses.

You may have heard this over and over again.

When i was dating, i always imagined marriage to complete the picture of couplehood. Marriage is the answer to dreadful partings. Marriage is the answer to more affection.. When i was dating, i wanted marriage. But now that i'm married, i realised that the picture of marriage is not 'perfectly perfect' the way i imagined it to be.

I was experiencing mixed feelings about this process called 'marriage', that our Prophet (saw) was encouraging his ummah to do.

I still remembered that we were enthusiastically doing some pre-nuptial research about marriage. We went to the library,borrowed this book called 'Tranquil Hearts', a publication by Darul Arqam, compiled by many local ustazs and ustazahs for the marriage guidance course. We also bought a book from Wardah bookstore called 'A Muslim Marriage Guide'. I recommend this book to all lovers who aspires to tie the knot with their special one.

I told myself that i want to apply all the theorotical knowledge into my 'Marriage Practicum'.

When the day came, and days passed.... weeks passed.... i realised that it wasn't that easy. At times, i admit that i had alot of "nonsense thoughts" up in my head. I was struggling. I felt that the whisperings came when the "bad thoughts" arises. This is really bad, i told myself in my prayers. May Allah swt shower upon me His mercy and forgiveness. Astaghfirullah.

And the quote below which crossed my path when i was begging for guidance by Him. Its by a famous shaykh and would like to share with all:

You don't choose whom you love. He chooses them. If you had that choice to choose; then the road would be simple. Whom he puts in your life, is part of your test: to bear with them, to accept them and most of all to love them despite all that they may agitate you with. After all, they come from Him and they return to Him, just like you did and will do. "...And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (Surah al-Furqan:20)

Ramadhan is over

Today is the last day of the fasting month.

I'm not excited about approaching Syawal, or even Eidul Fitri. Rather, i'm more sad when i leave Ramadhan.

Leaving the month of mercies, blessings and forgiveness. Leaving the best of all months as what Allah swt has decreed.

Leaving Ramadhan, feeling that i've not accomplished anything pleasing in the eyes of Allah, my One and Only God. My Creator, Sustainer, Cherisher, Nourisher. The One that gives without holding back anything which He thinks is good for me.

Leaving the month where Shaitan gets locked up, and there's no other whisperings or promptings except for your own ego enticing you to do bad stuff or think bad stuff.

I left Ramadhan, not being able to complete even half of the Quran.

I left Ramadhan, not consciously waking up for my Night prayers.

I left Ramadhan, not improving my own self as a true believer.

And i approached Syawal, full of regrets. I do not even know if i get to enjoy my 4th Ramadhan.

But i do hope that for the rest of the Muslim bros and sistas out there have accomplished more than i did.

Nevertheless, i'm thankful to Allah for giving me the opportunity to perform my obligatory fasting for the 3rd time.

alhamdulillah

Reminders of Ramadhan

A Travelling Shaykh said:

"What have we got to show for in this blessed month of Ramadhan, despite fasting year after year?

What have we benefitted from our past Ramadhan?"

We always take for granted that we will meet Ramadhan every year.

Year after year of fasting, what do we want to achieve? is fasting solely just for the sake of fasting just because it's incumbent on every muslim?

Fasting yields many benefits for muslims who yearns getting close to Allah swt.

Fast. For a different purpose and meaning today. For a different perspective in life.

May Allah swt forgive our sins and bestow upon us blessings and accept our fast in Ramadhan. Ameen.


*disclaimer* - i do not consider myself as someone very perfect with my fast nor prayers.I hope that by sharing some really useful and informative articles for other muslims to benefit from it.

Gone back to be with Allah

This bee was found lying dead on the floor at the open space in my workplace.

I hardly get to spot insects this big, especially a bee and so i couldn't resist taking a picture of it. and it's usually unlikely of me to feel connected with insects.

'Connected'? It may seem weird to use this word but after i became a Muslim, i began to view everything that i see from a different perspective.

Being a muslim means you acknowledge that There's NO OTHER GOD except ALLAH and Prophet Muhammad saw is the Messenger of God.

So the next awareness will be; all creations come from God, henceforth they are muslims, even this little friend of ours who have just 'passed away'. That's why i said i felt connected. The passing away of this bee reminded me, that one day, i shall also be called back to God.

Living a life as a muslim brings more purpose and meaning to LIFE. Signs everywhere around me shows the existence of Allah. Only with the decree of Allah, I exist. and with my existence, I acknowledge that Allah is the One and ONLY God that i should turn to. For help, favours, blessings, provisions, sustenance and many many more....