Observing your 5 daily prayers with sincerity and love

This is a timely video. It's taken from http://www.sufilive.com

I need those reminders.

Our Prophet s.a.w and his companions all prayed to Allah with great sincerity, concentration and humility. There was a story about Saiyidinna Ali. He had a toothache and he was so scared of pain. So he told the other companions to extract his tooth in his prayers. And they really did. So when he finished his prayers, he was shocked to find so many blood on his clothes. His tooth has been extracted. What kind of level is this? Very very high level i would say.

How i wish I could at least possess half of what Saiyidinna Ali has.

And all these while, i've felt that my prayers were not perfect. Whenever I enter it, my mind brings me to many places. Sometimes, I might even 'travel regionally' and if I get really lucky, I might fly across the Pacific Ocean.

Actually it's a sad thing.

And it's depressing to read from books that if your prayers aren't good, and Allah swt doesn't accept, those prayers will be wrapped up like a heap of clothes and THROWN back to you!

That's scary isn't it?

I need to buck up. Time is running out. and we know the Judgement Day is near for its signs are all around us.

And Shaykh Hisham also talks about the condition of the heart.

May the video benefit us all.

May Allah swt purifies our heart from within. amin.

O Allah! I beg of you to change the state of my heart if it's tainted or damaged. amin.

Da'wah

My recent spate of experiences with non Muslims has made me to conclude that:

Islam is indeed a misunderstood religion.

The other day, my colleague saw me playing with her soft toy. So she told me to go home and pro-create so that I do not have to resort to playing with soft toy but a real baby instead. But I told her, it’s up to God when He decides to give me a child. So she continued telling me to go home and pray to Him at night. I told him I can’t pray because I was having ‘mother nature’ but I could still pray to God (in terms of supplications).

She asked me why did our religion forbid us (the women) to pray. So I explained to her in details: God gave relief to women by not laying any difficulties upon us during our menses; imagine the discomfort some may feel during that time. And I also told her that God didn’t stop the women from supplicating to God at all times whenever they remember God.

But she continued to say that the religion is being unfair to women; ‘Why women can’t do this, can’t do that, why only men can marry 4 women etc etc? (so it was veering further and further away) I quickly add on, explaining to her about the equality of men and women in the eyes of God.

4:124] If any do deeds of righteousness - be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Paradise, and not the least injustice will be done to them.

She reiterated her statement by adding this; ‘this thing has been in the religion since a long long time. And your Muhammad, he can’t read and write, why did he set this kind of rules?’ I told her that revelation came from God, and it’s through Angel Jibrail that revelation was given to our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. And because the Quran contained words of God, we do not disobey God’s commandments by praying during our menses.
“Aiya, aiya, anyway, it’s just my own perspectives lah.’

I also didn’t want to continue if not it might seemed that I am arguing with her because she kept insisting that ‘it’s just my own perspectives’.

Probably, I’m just guessing here. She’s born in Malaysia and she has probably seen a lot of things happening back in her country, resulting in a very negative perspective about Islam and Muslims. I could sense it in her tone. By the way, she’s a Catholic.

Insya allah, I’m hoping that I will have more opportunities to explain to her everything she wrongly perceives of Islam.

May Allah swt guide and assist me in my mission. Amin.

Whenever I’m in the taxis, I try to speak Mandarin to the drivers. I realized, most of them, misunderstood Islam as a religion for the Malays. One of the drivers, which I met recently, started exclaiming that how can I, as a Malay, do not know how to speak the language and claim myself to be a Muslim. That’s a common misconception. And I really hope to broadcast this aloud.

I explained myself as being a Chinese Muslim and I am a Chinese even though I embrace Islam. The driver couldn’t believe me and I almost resort to taking my IC out for him to verify my identity. My husband was shocked and he dissuaded me from doing so.

Anyway, I continued my conversation with him because he asked the golden question: “Why did you convert?” My husband was smiling and shaking his head vigorously. He told me frankly that he has never met such a person and was truly surprised that such people exist.

Omigosh! Am I supposed to laugh or cry or remain expressionless?

My 2nd 'Marriage' ... Finally it's over!!

Last week had been a crazy and hectic week for me.

It was Eidul Fitri on the 1st of October. I couldn't take leave because of my work committments.

I was busy with work because there was an Big annual event coming up for my department. And I had to take care of logistics, catering and all nitty gritty stuff surrounding the entire event.

I was busy with the preparation of my '2nd wedding'. ( getting another husband?? No la, of course not). Actually, it's a traditional tea ceremony and is quite common amongst the Chinese. The purpose of this tea ceremony, I suppose, is for the relatives to get to know the bride/groom and vice versa. And the newly wed couple has to go through a series of 'serving tea' to the in-laws, parents and relatives(directly related, not simply any Jane,Mary or Kate). Sort of like an acknowledgement that he/she has entered the family. Apparently, when I decided to hold my wedding reception last year, my parents forbade me to hold that tea ceremony in that month because of her superstitious. Silly right? Anyhow, I went ahead because I really don't believe that. So because of this superstitious month, not much of our relatives were invited except for an auntie who was the closest to my family. They had seen me with the tudung before, so I think they were okay with it. Preparation of my tea ceremony was crazy too! Everything had to be done within a short span of time. Just 2 days before the actual day, my mum was mad at me over trivial matters. Patient, patient...

And by the Will of Allah, every important thing clashed together around the same period. First,was Hari Raya, then came my department's event, and then followed by my tea ceremony.
My boss couldn't approve my leave for my Hari Raya celebration, even though I told her I had an important day to manage. So I was left with 2nd of October to do some visiting and try and finish up all the important stuff for the tea ceremony. Both me and my husband were so tensed and uptight about this, sometimes, we couldn't get each other's understanding about things. Never mind.

The event went smoothly. Alhamdulillah.

After work, I met my husband for prayers and dinner before he sent me back to my mother's place. Well, traditionally speaking, although i've been married(solemnized) for a year and already staying at my own place, my mother wanted me to go back to her home, so that my husband could come over and 'fetch' the bride over OFFICIALLY. well... well... Just to please her, I agreed to all her requests...

So after picking me up, we had to go back to our own home. Where I had my tea ceremony with my in-laws. This session was much easier to cope and stress free. :) (i thought usually inlaws give much pressure but i didn't feel any pressure at all).

We had to 'report' back to HQ during a certain period of time, given by my mum, checked by my auntie, certified by the 'almanac book'. So after the tea ceremony at my place, we left about 11am. Instead of going straight home, we went to pick my bro's gf at Bukit Timah. Haha. Somehow, we still manage to make it back.

When we arrived, I realized that most of my relatives have reached. Shortly after, we began the tea ceremony. My mum positioned the chairs infront of a 'buddha poster'. My auntie prepared the tea cups and the tray and told us to kneel infront of my parents. But another relative of ours said no need. I was glad but at least i made sure i bow lower and i offer the tea with due respect. I guess kneeling is not so necessary nowadays right?

Thank God, I really do not have a lot of relatives on my parents' side. but by the time, we finished everyone, I could feel the tiredness and sleepyness creep in. In the midst of everything, my husband and I took a short nap in the room. Both of us were knocked out!

Finally, we got the 'clearance' to go back home. It was almost asar. Oh God, we were so tired... we slept in the car, on our way home.

ALHAMDULILLAH! Am I not glad this thing is really really finally over!!!

I prayed additional raka'ats of shukran prayers to Allah swt to thank Him.

During the reception, I've heard conversations about the traditions of the Malays; the religion of the Malays etc ... and saw pairs of eyes staring at me... I tried my best to explain the basics to them, but I wonder if they truly digest and reflect what I said. Insya allah hopefully.

I will update some of my encounters soon. Insya allah...

Eid Mubarak

Here's wishing all the Muslim readers out there:

Selamat Hari Raya Adilfitri!!!! Eid Mubarak!!!

May Allah swt continue to show us His Mercy and bring on the light of Syawal upon us. May Allah swt makes it easy for us to continue our ibadah with sincere devotion, and win more battles against our nafs and hawa. Amin.

Ramadhan has left us....again

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh everyone,

It is indeed another sad day. Tarawih prayers has ended on this Monday night.... and I still don't get to savour it...no fasting.. no iftar... no tarawih.

I burnt my last 10 days of Ramadan. I couldn't get to pray my night prayers. The initial plan of waking up earlier to perform some dzikir couldn't be carried out either because I was so tired that i couldn't bring myself to wake up.

There goes the 'Night of Power'.

Somehow, i felt like a 'bankrupt' during this Ramadan.

O Allah, if you had willed this to happen, please make it easy for me!

Blessings Of Laylatul Qadr

This article had appeared in Berita Harian on 19 September '08, page 18. Of course, I couldn't understand. But alhamdulillah, may Allah swt rewards the ones who translated the article and forwarded to other Muslims. Surely, I also want to be part of this and get some rewards of sharing with other Muslims.

Hikmah of the Night of Lailatulqadar

Hadith relates that when Prophet Muhammad s.a.w was given the sight of the people before him who were blessed with the ability to reach long life, hence able to accumulate much ibadah or rewards - the Prophet then realized that his followers would not be able to do so due to our shorter life span.

Hence, Allah blesses Rasulullah with the Night ofLailatul qadar which is worth in rewards of 1,000 months. Hadith relates "On the Night of Lailatu qadar the numbers of Malaikat-Angels that descend to earth will be much more than those of the gravels/pebbles.

The doors of heaven will be open and the curtain that separate the earth and heavenly universe will be lifted. The lifting of curtain separates the governance of the sky/heaven and earth. It will transmit a stream/gush of light which enable the pious or obedient to see Angels in its original self in the act of prostration, zikir, doingtasbih and tahlil. The lifting of the curtain of Heaven will also enable the sight of its heavenly beauty.

Some saw the places of Prophets, Walis and Syuhadahs,while some saw the content of Hell. For some the curtain between them and Allah s.wt. will be lifted. Hadith relates Rasulullah favoured those who stay awake on the night of 27th Ramadan till subuh rather than those who does ibadah on every night of Ramadan.

Sayidatina Fatimah ra daughter of Rasulullah ask Rasul the prescribed act for one who is not capable of doing ibadah on that night.The Prophet replied that one should not sleep instead try to extend their doas and supplication to Allah even if it is for a brief moment.Many ulamas felt besides 27th of Ramadan, the Night of Lailatulqadar can also happen on 21st, 23rd or 25th of Ramadan. Wallahua'lam - Allah knows best.

Hadith relates that on the last 10 days of Ramadan, Rasulullah woke up from his sleep in the night to do ibadah with the hope of increasing his obedience to Allah and to enlighten his spiritual soul. He equated the act of sleeping to be that of death. It has been the practice of Rasulullah to 'iktikaf' or stay in the mosque for the last 10 days with his family. This shows that it is the responsibility of the leader/father to guide his family to show the way to be close to Allah. I guess this mean that it is not just the man who is to do 'iktikaf' in the mosque; he has to encourage his family to come along. Due to our busy work schedule it would be a good effort to try stay at least 1 night in the mosque if not take leave and stay 10 days-nights or 10 nights for Ramadan which comes only once a year.

It is also the month where Al-Qur'an was revealed.

So my husband told me, that whosoever had 'hit' the night of Laylatul Qadr, will taste the sea water sweet instead of salty. So I asked him; 'How do you know?' Do we go to the beach, bring home some sea water, and drink it after every odd night?' He looked at me as though i doubted what he said. Immediately, i replied and said;' Yeah, it's true. That's the only way we could prove it right?' He still thought that I was joking.

O Allah! Please put illuminate our eyes and heart with the noor of the Quran. amin.

Last 10 days of Ramadan

This is the part I dread most.

Bidding farewell to my favourite month: RAMADAN

Soon, the month of mercies, blessings and abundance of forgiveness from my Lord will leave US.

Soon, the month where Shaytan and his protege were shackled up so that the servants of Allah swt could worship Him with full concentration will leave US. (and if the servant did not, know that it is man himself who is the 'devil' who succumb to his own nafsul and hawa).

Soon, the month where fasting alone, earns rewards that only Allah swt has the authority to reward His servants; where forgiveness is granted by Allah swt to anyone who fasts with the intention for Him alone, will leave US.

Soon, the month where we do not have to fight shaytan to do alot of ibadah towards Allah swt will leave US. (and Ust Feisal said; this is the month where ibadah taste sweet. Do you?)

And before, we bid farewell to Ramadan, Muslims await for the 'Night of Power', also known as Laylatul Qadr; or better known to be a night better than a thousand nights.

Masya Allah. And we are told to seek it on the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

I was REALLY REALLY LOOKING FORWARD to THIS NIGHT.......

I was toying with the idea of 'procrastinating' the arrival of 'Mother Nature', so that my solat and ibadah will not be disturbed towards the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Indeed, it is Allah swt who decrees and none will be able to run away from it.

Saddening to know, 'Mother Nature' decides to knock on my door and destroy my dream of chasing the 'Laylatul Qadr'.

Allah swt knows best.

He knew that I needed Him.

So on the 1st night of the last 10 nights, at 1am in the morning, somehow I couldn't sleep.

Though, I couldn't pray, I took wudu and wore my telerkung. Sitting on my prayer mat and remembered all my bad deeds. I did my istigfar and I reflected on the sins that I had committed, and I really prayed very hard to Him for forgiveness. I cried and cried, hoping that it will be accepted. I prayed very hard to Allah, that He will guide my heart towards sincere repentance.

O Allah! Please don't let Ramadan leave me, without forgiving my sins! You know the state of my affairs and my heart. Only through you, will my heart attains sakinah. And, only through your Mercy, my heart can be cleansed!
Please don't leave me to fend for myself!

O Allah! Please forgive me!

Ramadan is a gift of Mercy.

Prophet s.a.w said this about Ramadan:
"Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its ending is liberation from the Hellfire."(Ibn Khuzaymah, Al-Sahih)

We have passed the first 10days of mercy.

Now, we have entered the middle of Ramadan, where forgiveness is granted upon us, if we ask Allah. Invoke Allah for forgiveness. Repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah answers if we supplicate, responds if we call upon Him, and grants if He is asked, and accepts if we entreat.

Prophet s.a.w said: 'Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter.'

O Allah! I admit all my mistakes to you, for you are the all Hearing, all Knowing and all Seeing.
And none can forgive sins except you, so please forgive me and accept my repentance. Guide my heart towards true and sincere repentation, ya Allah!

This Ramadan, I felt so far apart from my Lord. Perhaps it's my sins. or perhaps it's the black and tainted heart, that causes my Lord to be mad at me. I am angry with myself because i have made Him angry.

Ya Allah! Please don't distance away from me. I need You.

10 days of Ramadan

"O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves. (2:183)

10 days have passed in the month of Ramadan.

Have you made any resolutions to change or improve things in your life this Ramadan?

I’ve made a resolution to TRY and kick all my bad habits away. And there’s not much of a progress shown on my report card.

DANGER!!!

4 years ago, when I was still new to the religion, I was only fasting from food and drinks. I saw myself looking at my watch repeatedly every 30 minutes towards the end of the day, wondering to myself: ‘why is time tickling away so slowly?’ If not, I would then think about where to go and what to eat later.

A year later, after I say my ‘Testimony of Faith’, and as I began to learn more, fasting became less of a burden. Thoughts about feeling thirsty and hungry during the day hardly occurred, but I admit the part of not looking at things prohibited and not uttering nonsense or unnecessary things when I am fasting took me quite a bit of time to overcome it.

Alhamdulilah. Praise be to God. Who has guided me on the Straight Path. Has given me strength and perseverance to overcome the obstacles I faced at home when I was fasting.

Ramadan is a time of reflection.

Have I become a better Muslim after each Ramadan? Or have I gone back to my old ways/habits after Syawal? Have I turned into a hypocrite in Ramadan, that all goodness from me only comes during Ramadan?

Allah swt has bestowed again, upon Muslims, the mercies and blessings that Ramadan brings. But have I truly made use of this time, to perfect my worship, to increase my ibadah and His Pleasure upon me, and to intend all my actions for the sake of Him alone? I even wanted to perfect my servanthood towards Allah swt. But have I sincerely done so?

Perhaps not.

And 10 days of Ramadan have passed.

I cry silently in my Terawih prayers, hoping and praying to Allah swt that He sends down His Mercy and blessings and guidance upon me always.

May Allah swt gives all Muslims the strenth and vigour for ibadah, and bestow upon us the night of Laylatul Qadr, a night that is better than a thousand nights. Amin.

[afternote: Increase your ibadah and night prayers during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Who can live a thousand years?]

Renourish your soul in Ramadan

"O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves. (2:183)

Ramadan - The Gates of Allah’s Mercy
Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani

The Prophet (s) gave good tidings about this holy month. The first third of this Holy Ramadan is the days of mercy for all people, ten days, the second ten days are the days of forgiveness of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala, and the last one-third, is freedom from Hell for believers--Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala freeing them from Hell. Therefore, believers who try to keep the Lord’s orders during the days of Blessed Ramadan by fasting and during the night by praying Tarawih1 and night prayers (tahajjud), may be rewarded by our Lord giving them immunity, safety (bara`a) from Hell, and they have been given good tidings of Paradise.2

The whole spiritual structure of mankind is built on cleanliness, and it is impossible for a person to improve his spiritual station without first attaining complete cleanliness, physically and spiritually. Fasting is a beginning for spiritual cleanliness. The first step is the common level of fasting: trying to free yourself from your nafs' commands and control. As long as you are under the control of your nafs you remain unclean.

Therefore the first level of fasting is to compel our ego so that we may take control from its hands and put control in our own hands--therefore we abstain from eating, drinking and sexual contact in the daytime.

The first step is to avoid what is halal (permitted) on every day except during Ramadan. Eating and drinking and having sexual intercourse are halal; but in Ramadan, the permitted thing becomes haram--forbidden--during the daytime. That is the basic level of cleanliness, but it is of a higher purpose to seek even greater cleanliness.

To attain greater cleanliness, the second step is to try to be clean from sins: you must guard your eyes, your tongue, your ears, your hands, your feet and all the parts of your body from wrongdoing. You must tell yourself, " O my tongue! Just as you are keeping yourself from tasting food and drink, yet still you must be careful. Don't say anything that is prohibited."
That second step--to clean ourselves from all prohibited actions and sins makes us physically and spiritually lighter; we may move toward higher spiritual stations. Yet it is not enough.
The third step is for hearts: you must attend to your heart. Allah Almighty is telling us: "your heart belongs to Me." Among the Children of Adam, every part of the body belongs to him but one. "Your heart belongs to Me, not to anyone else," He says, "Therefore I am asking that it be clean, absolutely clean."3

How can it be clean? Everything except Allah Almighty and His Pleasure must be put out of your heart. Every time you are by yourself, you can look into your heart to see if you are with your Lord or with someone or something else. Whenever you examine your heart and find yourself with your Lord, Almighty Allah, you must deem yourself fortunate. At that time divine light will enter your heart, and you may reach the true pleasure of faith. The Prophet (s) said, "The lustful glance is one of the poison arrows of Satan. He who because of pity abstains therefrom will receive from Allah a belief, the sweetness of which will fill his heart."
Thus it is important for every believer to control his or her every action. Without guarding our actions we are destined to lose. And every action begins with a thought. Satan is well-aware of the nature of mankind. In every kind of thought he has put some of his tricks. Whoever is able to control his thoughts, may be safe from Satan’s promptings; but whoever is unable to control them will have his mind filled with evil ideas and falsehood. Whoever is under Satan’s control cannot be an obedient servant to his Lord. As Muslims and believers this must be our first concern--to control ourselves. If you find any of Satan’s control affecting yourself, in either actions or thoughts, you must strive to make them clean.

Increased Worship - A Means of Approaching Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala
When Ramadan comes to an end, we may find ourselves "crying for Ramadan". This month gives so much pleasure to us, through our increased obedience and worship of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. These two are the source of all true happiness--obedience and worship. For that reason the Prophet (s) "and the apple of my eyes is prayer--salaat".
Allah Almighty sent us His messages through His prophets. The summary of those messages is that people should take control of themselves. Therefore Allah Almighty orders prayers five times a day, plus Sunnah worship as well. There are the five times of prayer which Allah Almighty makes obligatory on His servants, but the Prophet (s) did Sunnah-prayers by day and by night also, so that those times of praying are always putting control on our limbs and on our hearts. Allah Almighty says in a hadith qudsi, "O My servant! If you take one step toward Me, I take ten toward you." Therefore we are in need to be active for His Sake. Make your steps more firm on the Straight Path and more powerful, day by day.

It is this holy season of worshipping which will cause you to move toward Allah Almighty. "When Ramadan comes... a caller calls out every night: 'Oh seeker of Good, draw near! Oh seeker of Evil, desist!' " [an-Nasa'i]. Therefore, this month presents a special opportunity: one for increased worship and increased devotion. In it are prescribed tarawih and the night prayers by means of which one may move ever closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. we have an opportunity during Holy Ramadan more than at any other time. The one who is able to control himself during Ramadan is going to be able, with Allah Almighty’s support, to take control of himself for the other eleven months. Everything begins small and grows, good things and bad things, good habits and bad habits; for each one we have a beginning. And the beginning is difficult, but you must be patient and continue; if you know that something is right, you must continue to keep on that way, even though it may be so difficult. Difficulties may be overcome by a strong faith and strong faith is with those people who are able to control themselves. Therefore make a firm and continuous intention to increased devotion, not only for for this holy month, Ramadan, but make it continuous always.

Notes
1)Yahya related to me from Malik that Yazid ibn Ruman said, "The people used to watch the night in prayer during Ramadan for twenty-three rak'as in the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab." [Al-Muwatta, 6.2.5]
2 "This is a month, the first part of which brings Allah’s Mercy, the middle of which brings Allah’s forgiveness and the last part of which brings emancipation from hellfire." [Bukhari].

Shaykh Hisham was here!

I went to the talk, 'Conversations with God', organised by SimplyIslam.

Kudos to them, for bringing him into Singapore again. Alhamdulillah.

Being Singaporean, I went early to chop chop seats, and I got to sit just 5 rows below him. There were actually more seats available upfront but me don't have the heart to be so close to him. You know la people, Shaykh can definitely 'see' you better than your best friends or spouses. So i didn't go and seat all the way to the front.

I've managed to salam and kiss his hand the previous time he came to Singapore. Alhamdulillah, that was sufficient. And I treated him like a 'filmstar', i braved the crowd and got his 'autograph' on his book, 'The Chapter of Sincerity.' That's a good read.

So i've got my camera, my mobile phone, my ipod and my notebook with me to the talk. All geared up, all energized for his 'lecture'.

But i've not got time to sort them out yet.

So enjoy the photos for now. Sorry people.

Countdown to Ramadan

Alhamdulillah!

In just one week's time, all Muslims will be welcoming Ramadan, the blessed month and the best of all months. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours.

Updates from my daily doses have since slowed down with the coming of Ramadan, as I am busy clearing some dunya matters. Meanwhile, if I have not shared it with my readers before, i'm putting this up for all of you; to serve as a reminder; to assist all of us in gearing ourselves towards the gifts and favours of Ramadan that Allah swt has blessed us with.

Baihaqi reported on the authority of Salman Al-Farsi (Radhi Allah 'Anh) that Prophet ('Alaihi Salat was-Salam) delivered a sermon on the last day of the month of Sha'ban. In it he ('Alaihi Salat was-Salam) said,

"O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgivenesses. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. In every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations are answered.

Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed!, miserable is the o­ne who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting remember the hunger and thirst o­n the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.

Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah Answers if they supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if they entreat. O people! you have made your conscience the slave of your desires.

Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised in His Honour and Majesty that, people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire o­n the Day of Judgement.

O people!, if anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will reward him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked: “but not all of us have the means to do so” The Prophet (SAAWS) replied: Keep yourself away from Hell-fire though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else.

O people!, anyone who during this month cultivates good manners, will walk over the Sirat (bridge to Paradise) o­n the day when feet will tend to slip. For anyone who during this month eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make easy his accounting, and for anyone who doesn’t hurt others during this month, Allah will safeguard him from His Wrath o­n the Day of Judgement. Anyone who respects and treats an orphan with kindness during this month, Allah shall look at him with kindness o­n that Day. Anyone who treats his kinsmen well during this month, Allah will bestow His Mercy o­n him o­n that Day, while anyone who mistreats his kinsmen during this month, Allah will keep away from His Mercy.

Whomever offers the recommended prayers during this month, Allah will save him from Hell, and whomever observes his obligations during this month, his reward will be seventy times the reward during other months. Whomever repeatedly invokes Allah’s blessings o­n me, Allah will keep his scale of good deeds heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to lightness. Whomever recites during this month an ayat (verse) of the Holy Qur’an, will get the reward of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months.

O people!, the gates of Paradise remain open during this month. Pray to your Lord that they may not be closed for you. While the gates of Hell are closed, pray to your Lord that they never open for you. Satan has been chained, invoke your Lord not to let him dominate you."

Ali ibn Talib (RAA) said: “I asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what are the best deeds during this month’?” ‘He replied: ‘O Abu-Hassan, the best of deeds during this month is to be far from what Allah has forbidden’.”

Post Kelantan updates

I departed Singapore on 8th Aug '08.

I left home without my camera because my husband said that he wanted to bring the camera that his father bought for him.

I regretted not bringing. The camera was just a 'calefare'.

So please pardon me if the pictures ain't that good because they were taken by my mobile phone camera.

The trip was enjoyable and it was only made possible by these wonderful bros and sisters.

This is the place/kampung we stayed:

This place is really a good place to 'rediscover your soul'. That's what one of the bro said.

There are only 5 huts, and it comprises of standard and superior chalets.

This is the playground. On most evenings, the kampung kids will all run here to play.

This place would have REALLY been the best place to hang out if the kampung is just next to the beach. Haha. I know i ask too much. But alhamdulillah. This is sufficient. But, but... weather a bit hot and humid...

Breakfast was bought from a nearby kampung shop by a sweet sweet bro named nik. You should book him when you visit kota bahru for a holiday. He buys us breakfast EVERY morning. It's every MORNING. Without fail, you know. Masya allah.

And he also brought us to a restaurant in the city, where lunch was damn cheap too. But the idea of eating raw vegetables... scares me away. Later on, when we were seated, and when food was brought right in front of me, things were much different. I just followed what he did and recommended. Oh man, it's nice!

It's something unique to the Kelantanese. Some vegetables are raw(and tasted bitter) and some were just boiled through. So, there's a sauce called, 'budu' where you eat it with. Thank God, for this sauce. If not, i will not be able to survive this lunch.

We also visited a place where they did their own Batik fabric printing. We heard from the staff there that the workers didn't graduate from a professional art school. They came up with their own creativity.



The lady in the 3rd picture; she was 'imported' from Indonesia because they couldn't find a worker as skilled as her to do these handicrafts. I don't think you can find such a skilled worker in Singapore now.


We also went to Siti Khadijah Market. Women ruled the market there. In it, you will find mostly women, selling their fish, chicken, vegetables, drinks, food etc etc. They dominate the entire market! Womennnn Powerrrr!!!




We were brought to the 'Fishermen Village', where we get to witness a profession. This again, you won't be able to find it in Singapore.


One by one, the boats returned from the sea with their catch. Here, you can see this fisherman sorting out the small and the big fishes separately. They will be weighed according to the rate the middle men tells them.



These are truly indeed 'hard earned money'. This is how they earn their living. Allah swt puts their provision in the Big Ocean/Sea so that they may earn their sustenance. God is Great!









Look at the squids! I have never seen such big squids before!




That's all bros and sis! But before i finish this post, here's a surprise for everyone! :)
I got this close to nature. :)

Knowledge

Information, then knowledge, then wisdom. These are the 3 stages through which the human rational faculty may progress.

When organized, information becomes knowledge. Further, organization turns knowledge into a science.

Religious knowledge, on the other hand, is no longer regarded as a science, since the modern world lives nearly exclusively in the material dimension and rejects the idea of an afterlife.

Imam al-Haddad defines 'useful knowledge' as that which increases your knowledge of God, His attributes, acts and favours; makes you aware of His commands and prohibitions, leads you to renounce the things of this world and wish only for the Hereafter; and brings your faults, the defects in your acts, and the plots of your enemy to your notice.

Knowledge, then used appropriately becomes wisdom. Wisdom is the force of penetration and discernment of the mind, the ability to place everything in its precisely appropriate location, in the precisely appropriate manner, at the precisely appropriate time. It is also the ability to put first things first, never to allow the ephemeral to obscure the path to the eternal, nor the contingent to take priority over the essential.

Gnostics and scholars focus mainly
-making their faith and certitude sound and strong.
-purifying their belief in God's oneness (tawhid) from the blemishes of hidden idolatry.
-perfecting virtues such as detachment, sincerity and a clean breast toward Muslims
-counteracting blameworthy attributes, such as ostentation and vanity.
-soundness of their good outward actions and to guarding themselves against falling into evil works.
-good management of their daily lives and the preservation of their soundness by being scrupulous, accepting good counsel, maintaining frugality, remaining content with little.

- Book by Imam Al-Haddad

I can't accomplish all of the above but insya allah, I hope to be remind myself of all that.
Who doesn't want to be a true Mu'min (believer)?

"O Allah, please guide me towards useful knowledge, understanding and interpretation of things, and on the Straight Path."

Patriotic or not?

So National Day is around the corner.

And I won’t be around this time to celebrate the Nation’s 43rd Birthday. Don’t blame me for being unpatriotic or disloyal to her. I didn’t plan for this getaway during National Day. We were to join another group of friends for Malaysia. (now, it really sounds I’ve betrayed my country as I join other Singaporeans leaving her, for our neighbouring country.)

It’s not exactly just a weekend getaway. I took leave from Friday onwards, up to Wednesday. Because the following Monday was announced by the Uni that it’s going to be a substituted public holiday in lieu of National Day, I saved a day of leave.

Uni has planned for a fun-filled celebration on the 8th of August 2008. After looking through the programme outline, I realised that I am going to miss out a whole lot of fun, food and games galore. Simply put, it’s a no work and all fun day on 8th of August! (if exigencies of service permit)

I was tasked to get the lyrics of the songs of National Day. And in the end, I got the music, rhythm and lyrics all stuck in my head. I was even singing these songs on the bike and at home. My husband could not take it anymore and called me ‘Crazy’. I ignored his pleads and continued to sing and he continued saying that those songs that I sung were ‘brain-washing’ songs.

I rebutted his statement and told him that it’s actually quite Islamic. This is the one that I always like:

We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness and prosperity
And progress for our Nation.

We are Singapore, we are Singapore…….

I shall not continue, otherwise I might not be able to stop singing again.

Allah swt created us and all of us came from Adam a.s. So by right, we should be united because we came from one original source.

As a vicegerent on planet earth, we should all live in harmony regardless of race, language or religion. And Prophet s.a.w treated everyone the same; there was no discrimination treatment.
Although we are created differently, we are still equal in the eyes of God.

God is the Master on the Day of Judgement. He will be Just and He will reward anyone who does an ant-like deed, will be rewarded. But if you set partners alongside with Him, this is one sin which He will not forgive.

“They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” (Surah al-Maida 5:72)

Well, of course, prosperity doesn’t just come from justice and equality. It comes from Allah alone. Perhaps we can enjoy peace if everyone practices patience and tolerance.
And as for ‘Progress for our Nation’, it still goes back to Allah swt for sustaining, preserving and maintaining this universe and all those things that are in it.

Anyway, up to this moment that I’m posting up my post, I’ve stopped singing already.

Happy 43rd birthday, Singapore.

Alhamdulillah.

The Dark Knight

Anyone of you has seen 'The Dark Knight'?

Go watch it if you haven't caught this movie that grossed more than 41million in the box office in the States!

I was absolutely mesmerized by everything that Batman owns in the movie; from the suit, to the gigantic car, and later transformed to a bike that had gigantic tyres; not forgetting the Lamborghini that he drove. Of course, he was simply a gorgeous actor in that movie!

Here's a link to watch the trailer. Perhaps it will whet your appetite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRI47J6is9Q


I'm gonna wait for the DVD release :P

Isra & Mi'raj (Part 2)

Here's the part on The Miraj:
In the twelfth year of his mission, the Prophet made his night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, and thence to heaven. His journey, known in history as Miraj (Ascension), was a real bodily one and not only a vision. It was at this time that Allah ordered the Muslims to pray the five daily prayers.

Almighty Allah has said: Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) above all that (evil) they associate with Him, Who took His slave Muhammad for a journey by night from AlMasjid-al-Haram (at Makka) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad) of 0ur Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." Surah 17: 1

Abbas Ibn Malik reported that Malik Ibn Sasaa said that Allah's Messenger described to them his Night Journey saying: "While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here." I asked Al-Jarud, who was by my side, "What does he mean?" He said: "It means from his throat to his pubic area," or said, "From the top of the chest." The Prophet further said, "He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me." (On this Al-Jarud asked: "Was it the Buraq, 0 Abu Hamza?" I (i.e. Anas) replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said: 'The animal's step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal's sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.

"When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has Muhammad been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said (to me): 'This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said:'You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel answered in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened. "When I went over the second heaven, there I saw John (Yahya) and Jesus (Isa), who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me): 'These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.' So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph (Yusuf). Gabriel said (to me): 'This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' "The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Enoch (Idris). Gabriel said (to me): This is Enoch; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: "He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Aaron (Harun), Gabriel said (to me): 'This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.' I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. It was said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' "When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Moses (Musa). Gabriel said (to me): 'This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious brother and pious Prophet.' When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him: 'What makes you weep?' Moses said: 'I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the seventh heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked: 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied: 'Gabriel.' It was asked: 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied: 'Muhammad.' It was asked: 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said: 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' "So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Abraham (Ibrahim). Gabriel said (to me): This is your father; pay your greetings to him.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said: 'You are welcomed, 0 pious son and pious Prophet.'

Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary). Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place near Medina) and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. Gabriel said: 'This is the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary.' Behold! There ran four rivers; two were hidden and two were visible, I asked: 'What are these two kinds of rivers, 0 Gabriel?' He replied: 'As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

'Then Al-Bait-ul-Mamur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked: 'This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.'
Then the prayers were enjoined on me: they were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses, who asked (me): 'What have you been ordered to do?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.' Moses said: 'Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers' burden.'

So I went back, and Allah reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to Allah, and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same. I went back to Allah, and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.

"When I came back to Moses, he said: 'What have you been ordered?' I replied: 'I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.' He said: 'Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers' burden.' I said: 'I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah's Order.' When I left, I heard a voice saying: 'I have passed My order and have lessened the burden of My worshippers."

Isra & Mi'raj (Part 1)

Tomorrow will be the Miracle Journey by our Beloved Prophet s.a.w. It carries alot of significance for the ummah of our Prophet s.a.w. I bought a book on that shortly after i converted. I simply love the book!

For the benefit of those Muslims and non-Muslims, I've re-produced parts of the story from the website; islamawareness.net Hope everyone enjoy a good read.

Here's the story about Isra:
After the Prophet performed the Evening Prayer (^Isha'), Jibril came to him with a white animal, slightly larger than a donkey yet smaller than a mule. This animal was the buraq,--one of the animals of Paradise. Jibril held the buraq by his ear and told the Prophet to mount it. When the buraq was mounted, the Prophet set forth.
The buraq is a very fast animal; the length of the buraq's stride is the farthest distance it's eye can see. The Prophet and Jibril arrived to a land with palm trees. Jibril told the Prophet to dismount and pray, so the Prophet dismounted the buraq and prayed two rak^as. Jibril asked him, "Do you know where you prayed?" and the Prophet answered, "Allah knows best." Jibril told him, "This is Yathrib; this is Taybah. "." (These are two names for the city of al-Madinah.) Before the Prophet emigrated to al-Madinah, it was called Taybah and Yathrib. It earned the name al-Madinah after the Prophet emigrated to it.
The buraq continued with the Prophet and Jibril until they reached another place. Again Jibril told the Prophet to get down and pray. The Prophet dismounted there and prayed two rak^as. Jibril informed the Prophet of the name of that place; it was Tur Sina'.
Once again the buraq took off with the Prophet and Jibril. Once again it stopped, and the Prophet dismounted and prayed two rak^as. This was in Bayt Lahm, where Prophet ^Isa (Jesus) was born. Then the buraq continued with the Messenger of Allah until they entered the city of Jerusalem. There the Prophet went to Masjid al-Aqsa. Outside was a ring used by the Messengers of Allah to tie their animals. The Prophet tied his buraq to this ring. Then the Prophet entered the masjid where Allah assembled for him all the Prophets--from Adam to ^Isa. Prophet Muhammad moved forward and led them all in prayer. This is an indication the Prophet is higher in status than all the rest of the prophets and messengers.

1- On Prophet Muhammad's journey from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, Allah enabled him to see some of His wondrous creations. Allah enabled the Prophet to see the world (dunya) like an old woman. However, this old woman was wearing a great deal of jewelry, and in this there is an indication signifying the reality of the world.

2- Allah enabled the Prophet to see Iblis. The Prophet saw something on the side of the road which did not dare to stand in his way or speak to him. What the Prophet saw was Iblis. Originally, Iblis was a believer and lived with the angels in Paradise. When Allah ordered the angels to prostrate (sujud) to Prophet Adam, Iblis was ordered to prostrate to him as well. The angels prostrated to Adam in obedience to Allah, because angels do not disobey Allah. However, Iblis did not obey, and he objected to the order of Allah. He said, "You created me out of fire, and You created him out of clay. How do You order me to prostrate to him?" So this objection by Iblis to the order of Allah was the first blasphemy he committed.

3- On his journey, the Prophet smelled a very nice odor. He asked Jibril about this pleasant scent and Jibril informed him this good smell was coming from the grave of the woman whose duty used to be to comb Pharaoh's daughter's hair. This woman was a good, pious believer. One day, as she was combing Pharaoh's daughter's hair, the comb fell from her hand. At this she said, ""Bismillah. "Pharaoh's daughter asked her, "Do you have a god other than my father?" The woman said, "Yes. My Lord and the Lord of your father is Allah." Pharaoh's daughter told her father what had happened. Pharaoh demanded this woman blaspheme and leave Islam, but she refused. At that, Pharaoh threatened to kill her children. He brought a great pot of water and built a great fire under it. When the water boiled, Pharaoh brought her children and started to drop them into that pot one after the other. Throughout all this, the woman remained steadfast to Islam, even when Pharaoh reached her youngest child--a little boy still breast feeding--but she felt pity for him. At that, Allah enabled this child to speak. He said to his mother, "O Mother, be patient. The torture of the Hereafter is far more severe than the torture of this life, and do not be reluctant, because you are right." At this the woman requested Pharaoh collect her bones and the bones of her children and bury them in the same grave. Pharaoh promised her that--then dropped her into that boiling water. She died as a martyr. The good odor the Prophet smelled coming from her grave is an indication of her high status.

4- During his trip, the Prophet saw people who were planting and reaping in two days. Jibril told the Prophet, "These were the people who fight for the sake of Allah (mujahidun).

5- The Prophet also saw people whose lips and tongues were clipped with scissors made of fire. Jibril told the Prophet, "These are the speakers of sedition (fitna) who call people to misguidance."

6- He also saw a bull which exited a very small outlet, then was trying in vain to return through that small outlet. Jibril told the Prophet, "This is the example of the bad word--once spoken, it cannot be returned."

7- The Prophet saw people grazing like animals, with very little clothing on their private parts. Jibril told the Prophet, "These are the ones who refused to pay zakat. "

8- The Prophet saw angels smashing some people's heads with rocks. These heads would return to the shape they had been, and then the angels would smash their heads again--and so on. Jibril told the Prophet, "These are the ones whose heads felt too heavy to perform prayer--the ones who used to sleep without praying."

9- On his journey the Prophet saw people who were competing to eat some rotten meat--ignoring meat that was sliced and unspoiled. Jibril told the Prophet, "These are people from your nation who leave out that which is permissible (halal), and consume that which is forbidden ((haram). "This reference was to the fornicators, that is, the ones who left out the permissible (marriage) and committed sins (fornication).

10- Also, the Prophet saw people who were drinking from the fluid coming from the bodies of the fornicators, (water mixed with blood). Jibril indicated to the Prophet these were the ones who were drinking the alcohol which is prohibited in this world.

11- The Prophet saw people scratching their faces and chests with brass finger nails. Jibril said, "These are the examples of those who commit gossip (ghibah). "

to be continued...

Allah Loves His Creation

God is everywhere around us.

He is closer to us than our jugular veins.

‘Remember Me and I will remember you. Be grateful unto Me and deny Me not’ (2:152)

Hadith qudsi:
'I treat My servant as he hopes that I would treat him. I am with him whenever he remembers Me: if he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering far better than that gathering; if he draws near to Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arm's length; if he draws near to Me an arm's length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' (Bukhari, Muslim)

The other day, I was in the changing room of the club, preparing to change into my swimming attire; there was this mother sitting down on the bench, changing clothes for the daughter. I didn’t eavesdrop on their conversation but I accidentally caught the mother saying this to her daughter: ‘I love you so much, and yet you don’t trust me.’

I don’t know how you guys perceive what I just heard.

But for me, immediately it brought me to the concept of God’s love towards His creations. The creations that He created, which is us; mankind, and mankind was created higher than the angels.

It is We who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give! (10) It is We who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrated, not so Iblis; he refused to be of those who bow down. (11) (Allah) said: "what prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay." (12) (Allah) said: "Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)." Surah al-araf 7:9~12

God loves His creations, and that’s why He showered us with countenance and gifts that none could give you in your lifetime. God blessed us with knowledge; we could have a zillion books to read in this universe and get wiser.

His Gifts and blessings are simply numerous and you will not be to keep track of all the gifts the He bestowed upon us!

But God says that He will also test us with trials and tribulations;

Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! verily the help of Allah is (always) near! Surah al-Baqarah 2:214

But when we are tested with trials, we questioned Him. We asked Him; “Why Me? What on earth did I do to deserve this? I didn’t ask for this, why did you give me this instead?”

We failed to remember that God, being all-Mighty, all-Powerful, all Hearing and all Knowing, He KNOWS BEST. Isn’t that right? So we should trust Him that He knows what is best for us. So if He sends something else that you didn’t ask for, not because He didn’t hear your prayers, but He knows that if He gives you what you want, you will not be able to bear that (in whatever way you ask). Or if you keep asking and you think that He didn’t respond to you because nothing happened, the best thing that you might want to know that God has kept the best things for you in Paradise. You are not forgotten!

Anyway, these serves as a reminder to myself and it’s not meant to lecture anyone. I am just a servant of Allah and I hope to intend my deeds solely for Him alone. For only He alone is the best Judge.

Imam Al-Ghazzali

Many of us would not say that we do not know who is he or where does he comes from; and some of us would be familiar with Imam Ghazzali's books like the much talked about, 'Revival of the Religious Sciences', Alchemy of Happiness, The Beginning of Guidance etc...

I attended a class about the above kitab; The Beginning of Guidance and i enjoyed the class very much. But it was way before that class i started to fall in love with this scholar's works. I think it must have been the enormous chunk of knowledge that you can derive from all that he wrote. Masya allah.

In case, you have no idea about his background:

Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali was born in the city of Tus, northwestern Iran, in AD 1058. He studied in Tus until he was 27 when he moved to Baghdad. He was appointed as a professor at the Nizamiyyah college there when he was 33. After 4 years of a strenuous schedule, he underwent a spiritual experience which convinced him that all of the knowledge he had gained was useless in comparison to gnosis or experiential knowledge of the Divine Presence. He realized unless he left his position and was free to search for this knowledge deeper within himself without worldly distractions, he would never attain it. He therefore provided for his family and left for Damascus and other well known cities at that time.

When he was 48 he returned to his birthplace where he lived for the next 5 years until his early death at the age of 53. He left behind over 400 works among them being his famous Revival of the Religious Sciences (ihya ulum al-din) which he wrote in Arabic. Over 2300 pages, it is a compendium of Islamic practices. A few years after he finished the Revival, he felt the need to write the same sort of compendium on being a Muslim in Persian. This is the entire work here translated into English for the first time which al-Ghazzali called the Alchemy of Happiness. It is a masterful textbook on traditional psychology.
(now a little bit more...)
While modern Western psychology focuses on describing emotions, behavior or cognition, that is, what we feel, do and think without recourse to the basic principles or causes, traditional psychology is based on the same three centers, but like all traditional sciences, includes much more. As a result of including metaphysics, theology, cosmology and the natural sciences as the basis or underlying principles for what we feel, do or think, it becomes a wholistic psychology.

The goal of traditional psychology is to assume the noble character traits, to overcome our ego which competes for our attention with our God-given instinct to attend to the One God. In tis view, there cannot be two wills and therefore our free will has to be disciplined to submit to God's will (islam).

The word psychology comes from the Greek words 'psyche' or 'soul' and 'logos'. Psyche also means breath, spirit and refers to the animating principle of the universe. Logos means 'word' and in the traditional view it refers to 'the word of God'. The science of psychology, then, when it is true to its name, is the study of the Word of God within the human soul or spirit.

Al-Ghazzali's psychology is essentially that of monotheism and unity, the world view that 'there is no god, but God' or 'there is no deity, but God.' It is to see the universe and all that is in it as aspects of the One God. The world view of monotheism (tawhid) forms the underlying basis for traditional psychology.

By the word 'tradition' we mean al-din which has been defined as: 'truths or principles of a Divine Origin revealed of unveiled to mankind through a messenger along with the ramifications and applications of these principles in different realms including law, social structure, art, symbols, the sciences and embracing Supreme Knowledge along with the means for its attainment.'

Traditional (al-din) is a point which is at one and the same time the Center and Origin of our being. Traditional psychology is oriented towards helping the individual as well as the human community find that Center as prepare for the return to our Origin.

A monotheist (hanif) like al-Ghazzali regards the whole universe as a unity, as a single form, a single living and conscious thing, possessing will, intelligence, feeling, and purpose, revolving in a just and orderly system in which there is no discrimination no matter what one's gender, color, race, class, or faith be. All comes from God and returns to God, while a multitheist views the universe as a discordant assemblage full of disunity, contradiction, and heterogeneity containing many independent and conflicting poles, unconnected desires, customs, purposes, wills, sexes, sects, colours, races, classes, and faiths.

The monotheistic world view sees the universal unity in existence, a unity of three separate relationships:
1) our relationship with others, nature and the universe; 2) our relationship with God; 3) our relationship with our 'self'.
These relationships are not alien to one another; there are no boundaries between them. They move in the same direction. Al-Ghazzali expresses this when he writes:
Then know that there is a station in gnosis (marifat) where, when a person reaches it, he really sees that all that exists is interconnectedness, one with another, and all are like one animate being. The relationship of the parts of the world such as the heavens, the earth, the stars to each other is like the relationship of the parts of one animate being to each other. The relationship of all the world to its Director - from one aspect, not from all aspects - is like the relationship of the kingdom of the body of an animal to the spirit and intellect which are its Director. Until a person recognizes this, that Verily, God created Adam in His image, it cannot be comprehended by his understanding.

Other non-monotheistic religious world views see the Divinity - or even the plural of this - as existing in a special, metaphysical world of the gods, a higher world as contrasted with the lower world of nature and matter. They teach that God is separate from the world, created it and then left it alone. In the monotheistic world view, God has never left and is the destination of the Return. In this view, our 'self' fears only one Power and is answerable to only One Judge; turns to one direction (qibliah), orientng all hopes and desires to only one Source. A belief in monotheism gives us a sense of independence and liberation from everything other than God and a connectedness to the universe and all that it contains. Submission to God's will alone liberates us from worshipping anything other than God and rebelling against anything else that purports to be God.
Introduction by Al-Ghazzali on Trust and the Unity of God

May Allah swt protects all Muslims from falling into error. amin.

My beloved Creator

Al-Ghazzali defines what belief in submission to God's Will (islam) means:

Know that you have been created and that you have a Creator who is the Creator of all the universe and all that it contains.

He is One. He has no partner nor associate.

He is Unique, for He has no peer.

He always was; His existence has no beginning. He always shall be; there is no end to His existence. His existence in eternity and infinity is a necessary, for annihilation cannot touch Him. His existence is by His own essence.

He needs nothing but nothing is unneedful of Him.

Rather, He is established by His Own essence, and everything else is established through Him.

Everything Comes from HIM(alone)

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate Most Merciful

(19) And We have provided therein means of subsistence― for you and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible. (20) And there is not a thing but its (sources and) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us; but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures. (21) And We send the fecundating winds, then cause the rain to descend from the sky, therewith providing you with water (in abundance), though ye are not the guardians of its stores. (22) And verily, it is We Who give life, and who give death: it is We Who remain Inheritors (after all else passes away). (23) To Us are known those of you who hasten forward, and those who lag behind. (24) Assuredly it is thy Lord who will gather them together: for He is Perfect in Wisdom and Knowledge. (25) We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape; (26) And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind. (27) Behold! Thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape; (28) "When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."

Surah Al-Hijr 15:19~28

Allah swt possess wisdom and knowledge that we, as human beings do not have. Truly, all knowledge and wisdom comes from Him, and that includes everything else that we have. We came into this world with nothing in our hands, so shall we leave with nothing in our hands.

I remembered meeting one of a makcik at the mosque. We started off as strangers when we first met but when we parted, we ended up hugging each other in tears.

Our encounter started off when I entered the mosque to start my sunnah Tahiyyatul and she had just finished hers. She spoke to me in Malay and somehow; from my frequent experiences and encounters with Malay makciks, I could make out what she was trying to tell/ask me (more or less). And so I replied in English.

Subhanallah! She is a clever woman. Immediately, she asked me if I am a convert and I replied positively. She then asked for my name and she went to sit at another corner, just behind me.

After I finished my sunnah prayers, I picked up the Quran from the shelves and starting reading it from the back. (‘cause I was more familiar with those surahs)
Suddenly, I heard someone calling out my name. It was coming from behind (nope, I didn’t see any saints or angels around J ). Ahh.. it was the makcik earlier. She signaled me to go over to where she sat.

So the usual questions popped up; when did I convert, how did I get to know about Islam etc etc. And then she suddenly told me that she also had a daughter as big as me but she was no longer with her now. She has left home. Well, initially she was reluctant to say it because she felt embarrassed about what has happened. So I told her not to reveal it since she feels that way. But she told me everything afterall. And after she finished her story, I had tears welled up in my eyes. And when she saw what happened to me, her eyes started to get teary too.

She is a very strong woman. And masya allah, through these tests that Allah has put her through, she has developed a strong sense of taqwa (God-consciousness). She said that she had come to realized that nothing belongs to us in this world. Every life, limb and faculty that we possess is bestowed and loaned to us. Any day when He wishes to take it back, He has the Power to take it away from us. So this is the example she relates to her daughter. Allah swt has the Power to take her daughter away from her. Although this isn’t easy for her initially, but Alhamdulillah, she had managed to ‘survive’ through this trial and get on with life without doing any foolish things that she said she will do.

Alhamdulillah, this encounter came at the right time when my spirits are low. Her words (I took it as advice and reminders) lingered on even after my supererogatory prayers. My tears didn’t stop rolling down my cheeks as I was into my last cycle of my prayers.

From You we came and to You we shall return.

Praise to the Lord of all the Worlds.

O Allah, for You are the Only ONE who guides, so please guide me on this Straight Path. Amin.

Wisdom of the believer

Ata b. Yasar said to Abd Allah b. Amr b. al-As, "Tell me of the description of the Prophet of God that is in the Torah."
Abd Allah said, "Certainly! For by God, he is described in the Torah, with some of the description that is in the Qur’an."
And he recited: O Prophet, We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner, and a refuge for the unlettered. You are My servant, and My messenger; I name you the One Who Trusts in God, who is not uncivil, and not inconsiderate, not a noisemaker in the markets. He does not rebut evil by evil, but pardons and forgives. And God will not have him die until he sets the crooked community straight, so that they say there is no divinity but God, by which will be opened blind eyes, deaf ears, and closed minds.

The Prophet Muhammad said, “Any word of wisdom is the stray of the believer, who has the better right to it wherever it may be found.”

Another da'wah activity

I was supposed to meet a colleague from another department to understudy how to process feedback forms. It was a totally new thing for our department because for so many years, the management didn’t feel that there was a need to do this.

So she started off by showing me the ropes. Along the way, I asked her about how long has she worked in this company and she told me that it was over 20years. Omigosh! I exclaimed. She had no complaints and she didn’t have high expectations in life. She was simply grateful to God for giving her so much. I could tell that she was really sincere and true to what she preaches. She always reminds herself of all the things that God has provided her. She also asked questions about my conversion. And I shared my story with her.

And I told her too; that Muslims are also taught to be grateful to God. (I used the word God, so that it would be more familiar with her). And I thought we agreed on many things about understanding the concept of God, until she talks about Jesus a.s. She said that because human beings are sinners ( because we are not perfect); Jesus a.s had to die for us in order to wash away our sins. And when he dies, his soul will become a bridge to be able to communicate with God. And she continues; Christians believed that Jesus is God and God is Jesus.

After she finished, I told her that; to Muslims, Jesus a.s did not die on the cross. He was replaced by someone whom God had made it looked like Jesus and Jesus a.s himself has been raised up to heaven. He will return back to earth in a ‘later part of a time’(God knows best). And importantly, I corrected her on her notion of 'God being Jesus and Jesus being God'. I explained to her that if she believed that God is all Mighty and Powerful, it is not possible to be Jesus a.s because he is a human being, not a God. She wasn’t ready to accept what I just said to her so she said that she will check it out herself. I even offered to show her a copy of the Quran if she’s interested. But she told me that she had read it quite often from the internet. I told her not to trust all sources because there has been so much of falsehood and hearsay about Islam; everyone would claim that they know so much about Islam.

Nevertheless, we ended the conversation with a friendly note. We were glad to have met and had this interesting conversation where we’ve shared so much. I may not be in a position to judge anyone, but she’s definitely one of the nicest Christian that did not display an over zealous attitude about her religion.

As for me, I will have to do more homework and learn more techniques to spread the good word about Islam more fervently. Insya allah. May Allah swt forgive my mistakes and guide me. Amin.