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."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
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...
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...
Monday, July 21, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Friday, July 11, 2008
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.”
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.”
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
from darkness into light
Today is the day.
Today is the day. But ** years ago... I exited from my mother's womb.
Today is the day. But ** years ago... I exited from darkness and enter into light.
Today is the day Allah swt send me to earth. as a vicegerent. I had probably forgotten about the covenant between me and my Lord.
The light was so bright that it was glaring to my tiny little eyes.
The light from the bulb in the delivery ward. The light from the sun. The light coming forth from the cameras.
I was a Muslim then. Until my parents made me into a Buddhist.
Alhamdulillah !!(All praises and glorification belongs to Allah swt.)
Allahu akbar! (God is the Greatest)
With Allah's hidayah(guidance), I became a Muslim again after ** years. Initially, i felt that it was kinda late for me to be a Muslim. But after much pondering, I don't think so anymore.
It's better late than never right? Alhamdulillah!
Yesterday, I just learnt that the great Companion, the Guardian of Islam, Umar bin Khattab r.a(may Allah be pleased with him) has entered into Islam at the age of 26 years old. So I am alright..
My 'dunya' wishes: 'to grow taller, to have a home free from creepy crawlies and to have a loving husband'.
(I remembered a friend used to sing a birthday song for me on his mobile phone and sent it to me)
My 'akhirah' wishes: that Allah swt may accept my ibadah and reward me insya allah, that Allah may raise me up on Judgement Day not as a bankrupt and may Allah swt give me the keys to Jannah. insya allah. amin.
I also hope that Allah swt will grant ALL MUSLIMS His rahmat, taufiq and hidayah. AMIN.
Today is the day. But ** years ago... I exited from my mother's womb.
Today is the day. But ** years ago... I exited from darkness and enter into light.
Today is the day Allah swt send me to earth. as a vicegerent. I had probably forgotten about the covenant between me and my Lord.
The light was so bright that it was glaring to my tiny little eyes.
The light from the bulb in the delivery ward. The light from the sun. The light coming forth from the cameras.
I was a Muslim then. Until my parents made me into a Buddhist.
Alhamdulillah !!(All praises and glorification belongs to Allah swt.)
Allahu akbar! (God is the Greatest)
With Allah's hidayah(guidance), I became a Muslim again after ** years. Initially, i felt that it was kinda late for me to be a Muslim. But after much pondering, I don't think so anymore.
It's better late than never right? Alhamdulillah!
Yesterday, I just learnt that the great Companion, the Guardian of Islam, Umar bin Khattab r.a(may Allah be pleased with him) has entered into Islam at the age of 26 years old. So I am alright..
My 'dunya' wishes: 'to grow taller, to have a home free from creepy crawlies and to have a loving husband'.
(I remembered a friend used to sing a birthday song for me on his mobile phone and sent it to me)
My 'akhirah' wishes: that Allah swt may accept my ibadah and reward me insya allah, that Allah may raise me up on Judgement Day not as a bankrupt and may Allah swt give me the keys to Jannah. insya allah. amin.
I also hope that Allah swt will grant ALL MUSLIMS His rahmat, taufiq and hidayah. AMIN.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Discuss or debate??
On an early and wet Sunday morning, instead of spending a cosy day snugging below our blankets, me and my husband went all the way to Orchard to catch an early morning show with our friends at The Cathay. (usually when it's raining, he doesn't ride his bike so we had to take a train down)
We didn't get any seats because we didn't start our journey at BL. We stood here the door so that we can get a bird's eye view of the scenery outside. Halfway through the journey, a Chinese man, in his mid 50s probably came up to my husband and asked;' Is your wife a Chinese?' He was surprised and I was surprised too.
He answered:'Yes'.
Man in his 50s replied: 'Yeah, no wonder she didn't look like a Malay. He looked at me and asked:'So you convert to Islam?'
Me:'Yup. Both me and my husband, but he converted earlier, even before we got married.'
Man:'So both of you believed in Islam, God and Muhammad s.a.w?
Me:' Yes.'
Man:'I have 2 questions. Why did Muhammad saw told his followers to marry 4 wives and not to eat pork?'
Me:'He didn't tell us to marry 4 wives.' It is restricted up to 4 wives. And during his time, he didn't marry them out of desire but because they were all widows caused by the war.' (and I didn't had the opportunity to explain the clause;'to treat all 4 equally and justly', he cut me off)
Man:'But one of his wife, the youngest one, was only 9years old' (he was referring to Ai'sha r.a and he didn't give me the opportunity to explain).
Me:'Let me explain. Muhammad s.a.w is our Prophet and Messenger send by God. Whatever that inspires him comes to him by revelation, not his own doing.' (he cut me off ago, obviously not wanting to understand more facts)
Man:'So my conclusion, after this conversation, i can tell that you have faith in God. '
And that was it. He went out of the train.
Throughout this conversation, my husband didn't participate in the conversation. His negative body language, as he later told me, was to hint to the man that he doesn't want him to talk to us much. But I wanted to; not harbouring any suspecting thoughts about him 'attacking' the religion, this could be my chance to do da'wah. I thought that he wanted to find out more initially, but then it turned out to be just our Prophet, the polygamy issue and the 'swine'.
My husband said that I was too fast in replying and I should take more time to answer his questions carefully, for his agenda was not because he was inclined towards knowing more about Islam but to throw accusations at our Prophet s.a.w. I admitted that I wasn't really good at giving him answers to make him think harder, but I was telling him whatever that I know and whatever that comes to my mind. I know this is not a very good method. Of course, if given an opportunity to sit down and discuss more, surely I need to do more research. But it's just a short encounter on the train :)
I know my weakness. May Allah swt forgive my shortcomings. amin.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
MALAYSIA: Catholic paper can't use 'Allah' after all
AsiaMedia :: MALAYSIA: Catholic paper can't use 'Allah' after all
I finally found the article that was related to Ustaz's post I finally found the article that was related to Ustaz's post http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/2008/05/using-name-allaah.html
Ustaz had laid down part by part for us to understand. YOu may refer to his blog for more updates.
I finally found the article that was related to Ustaz's post I finally found the article that was related to Ustaz's post http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/2008/05/using-name-allaah.html
Ustaz had laid down part by part for us to understand. YOu may refer to his blog for more updates.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Beautiful Sky
Captured this while waiting at the bus stop. Isn't the sky view beautiful?Allahu Akbar!!! (God is the Greatest)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
My Liverpool... Will it fade away?
I got this blouse in Liverpool. And I liked it very very much. I used to wear it very often during Liverpool's glory days. Gone were the glory. Gone were those days...
They made history with Ian Rush, Kevin Keegan, Michael Owen and many others... That's good history etched in every Liverpool fan's memories.
Now, it's another kind of history. Some kind of a history that every Liverpool fan will cry when you ask them about their previous seasons that just passed us.
We call it the 'goal-less drought' season.
Wearing this blouse made me think of the history that was linked to it...
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Does it look good to eat?
My very own version of a Western meal
Yesterday I whipped up this meal to give my husband a surprise. I wanted to give some kind of a variety to our meals instead of eating rice all the time.
After work, I went to the supermarket to get my ingredients. I made used of what I had in my fridge. Since I had some left over beef given by a neighbour who lived a few blocks away, I decided to do it the Western way. Since I didn't have a griller, I pan fried it with butter instead.
More ideas sprung up as I was preparing the beef slices. I marinated with black pepper, salt and a bit of soya sauce. I left it aside and prepared a fruit and vegetables salad. The idea of a garlic bread came up last minute because I didn't have any potatoes. (carbohydrates) . To make it really Western, I prepared mushroom soup too.
So abracadabra, here's the outcome. I would not say that the beef steaks are really fantastic because they had been kept in the freezer for quite some time and the beef slices were sliced by myself. Some of it were still quite 'chewy'.
My husband said that it's delicious but there's room for improvement.
Hint hint...
Monday, June 02, 2008
Be free...
On that Day from distress and remorse... (This khabar was transmitted through the sage Wahb ibn Munabbih)
Allah Most High proclaims:
Allah Most High proclaims:
'O Children of Adam, if you could see the minute span of precious time that remains until your death, you would renounce all selfish projects and vain expectations. You would restrain your desire to possess, in all its subtle forms. And you would wholeheartedly seek to intensify your good actions. Otherwise, regret will seize you as you are falling into death, when your family and servants leave you, when friends distance themselves from you and even intimates abandon you. From the moment of death, you will no longer be able to return to your people or increase your good actions. Therefore, live now with a clear vision of the Day of Resurrection and be free on that Day from distress and remorse.'
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Enjoy a good laugh!!!
I had a really good laugh when i received this video. Are you familiar with Mariah Carey's songs?If you are, you would laugh to your hearts' content.
If you hadn't watched it before, enjoy it. If you had seen this, treat yourself to another good laugh.
Pay attention to the lyrics yeah.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Oily Oily
Yesterday, I took half day leave from work, wanted to spend some time shopping and yum-cha-ing with my mother.But unfortunately, my father applied leave too and they decided to make a trip to JB for other errands. So I told my husband that my mum couldn't make it, and he took half day leave, stashing away his piles of work to accompany me. Actually, I didn't need any company but I guess he took pity on me, afraid that I was all alone.So we went to Vivocity. It was quite near to his workplace and there's a mosque nearby. On my way there, it started raining. We usually eat at Banquet but I thought we should go and have some cheap food so we went to Seah Imm Food centre.
So as you can see from the picture above, I ate something really OILY. and guess what was that??
LAKSA.(did u guess it correctly?)
I thought Malay laksa was going to be of the same kind like how the Chinese prepare.
Extracted from Wiki:
Origin
The origin of the name "laksa" is unclear. The name may originate from the Sanskrit word laksha (लक्ष)[citation needed], meaning "many" (in modern Hindi, lakh, or 100,000) and referring to the soup's many ingredients[1]. Another theory[2] traces it back to Hindi/Persian lakhshah, referring to a type of vermicelli. It has also been widely believed that "laksa" may also be derived from the Chinese word "la sha" (辣沙; pronounced "latsa" in Cantonese), meaning "spicy sand". This is because the laksa gravy contains an ingredient that feels mildly sandy.
Types of laksa
The term laksa is used to describe two different types of noodle soup dishes: curry laksa and assam laksa. Curry laksa refers to noodles served in coconut curry soup, while assam laksa refers to noodles served in sour fish soup. Usually, thick rice noodles also known as laksa noodles are preferred, although thin rice vermicelli (bee hoon or mee hoon) is also common and some variants use other types.
Curry laksa (in many places referred to simply as “laksa”) is a coconut-based curry soup. The main ingredients for most versions of curry laksa include tofu puffs, fish sticks, shrimp and cockles. Some vendors may sell chicken laksa which uses chicken instead of shrimp. Cockles are usually very commonly used in laksa and most vendors would add them into laksa unless customers request not to have cockles for hygiene reasons. Laksa is commonly served with a spoonful of sambal chilli paste and is traditionally garnished with Vietnamese coriander, or laksa leaf, which is known in Malay as daun kesum. This is usually known as "Curry mee" in Penang rather than curry laksa, due to the different kind of noodles used (yellow mee or bee hoon, as opposed to the thick white laksa noodles). The name "Curry laksa" is more commonly used in Singapore. With the popularity of laksa in Singapore and Malaysia, there are even more 'varieties' of ingredients like lobster laksa, laksa yong tau foo and even plain laksa, just noodles and gravy, like the type found on Sungei Road. Laksa is extremely popular in Australia, especially in the Chinatown districts of the capital cities. Special deals, such as "Laksa Thursday" encourage many local business workers to frequent the Asian cafes to dine on Laksa and other noodle based soups.
Variants of curry laksa include:
Laksa lemak, also known as nyonya laksa (Malay: Laksa nyonya), is a type of laksa with a rich coconut gravy. Lemak is a culinary description in the Malay language which specifically refers to the presence of coconut milk which adds a distinctive richness to a dish. As the name implies, it is made with a rich, slightly sweet and strongly spiced coconut gravy. Laksa lemak is usually made with a fish-based gravy and is heavily influenced by Thai laksa (Malay: Laksa Thai), perhaps to the point that one could say they are one and the same.
Katong laksa (Malay: Laksa Katong) is a variant of laksa lemak from the Katong area of Singapore. In Katong laksa, the noodles are normally cut up into smaller pieces so that the entire dish can be eaten with a spoon alone (that is, without chopsticks or a fork). Katong laksa is a strong contender for the heavily competed title of Singapore's national dish.
Sarawak laksa (Malay: Laksa Sarawak) comes from the town of Kuching in the Malaysian state Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. It is actually very different from the curry laksa as the soup contains no curry in its ingredient at all. It has a base of Sambal belacan, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass and coconut milk, topped with omelette strips, chicken strips, prawns, fresh coriander and optionally lime. Ingredients such as bean sprouts, (sliced) fried tofu or other seafood are not traditional but are sometimes added.
A bowl of Penang laksa, a variant of assam laksa.
Assam laksa is a sour fish-based soup. Asam (or asam jawa) is the Malay word for tamarind, which is commonly used to give the stock its sour flavor. It is also common to use "asam keping" also known as "asam gelugor", dried slices of tamarind fruit, for added sourness. Modern Malay spelling is asam, though the spelling assam is still frequently used.
The main ingredients for assam laksa include shredded fish, normally kembung fish or mackerel, and finely sliced vegetables including cucumber, onions, red chillis, pineapple, lettuce, common mint, "daun kesum" (Vietnamese mint or laksa mint) and pink bunga kantan (ginger buds). Assam laksa is normally served with either thick rice noodles or thin rice noodles (vermicelli). And topped off with "petis udang" or "hae ko", a thick sweet prawn/shrimp paste.
Variants of assam laksa include:
Penang laksa (Malay: Laksa Pulau Pinang), also known as assam laksa from the Malay for tamarind, comes from the Malaysian island of Penang. It is made with mackerel (ikan kembung) soup and its main distinguishing feature is the assam or tamarind which gives the soup a sour taste. The fish is poached and then flaked. Other ingredients that give Penang laksa its distinctive flavour include lemongrass, galangal (lengkuas) and chilli. Typical garnishes include mint, pineapple slices, thinly sliced onion, hε-ko, a thick sweet prawn paste and use of torch ginger flower. This, and not 'curry mee' is the usual 'laksa' one gets in Penang.
Johor laksa (Malay: Laksa Johor), from Johor state in southern Malaysia, resembles Penang laksa only in the kind of fish used but differs in everything else. Johor laksa has coconut milk, use 'kerisik', dried prawns, lemon grass, galangal and spices akin to curry. The garnishing comprises slices of onion, beansprouts (taugeh), mint leaves, Vietnamese coriander or 'daun kesum', cucumber and pickled white radish. Sambal belacan (a kind of chili paste) is placed on the side. Finally, just before eating, freshly squeezed lime juice is sprinkled on the dish. Unique to Johor laksa is its Italian connection - spaghetti is used instead of the normal rice noodles or vermicelli.
Ipoh laksa (Malay: Laksa Ipoh), from the Malaysian city of Ipoh, is similar to Penang laksa but has a more sour (rather than sweet) taste. The soup stock contains prawn paste.
Kuala Kangsar Laksa (Malay: Laksa Kuala Kangsar), made of rice flour (usually hand made). The soup is rather lighter than the common laksa taste and so much different from Ipoh Laksa in shape, taste and smell. The local municipal council even built a complex called "Kompleks Cendol dan Laksa" near the river bank of the Perak River. It is the main attraction for tourist in Kuala Kangsar.
Perlis laksa (Malay: Laksa Perlis) and Kedah laksa (Malay: Laksa Kedah) is very similar to Penang laksa and only differs in the garnishing used. Sliced boiled eggs are usually added to the dish. In some places the soup is made of eel flesh.
Kelantanese laksa (Malay: Laksa Kelantan), white noodles served with curry and vegetables, is made differently in every state in Malaysia. The Kelantanese laksa employs the creamy white gravy which is richer and has full-bodied flavour. The main ingredients is fish flesh, although connoisseurs would certainly prefer the ones made of eels. Also known as "Lakse" in Kelantanese Malay dialect.
Laksam, a speciality of the Malaysian state of Terengganu, is made with very thick flat white rice flour noodles in a white gravy of boiled fish and coconut milk. Traditionally laksam is eaten with hands rather than with eating utensils due to the gravy's thick consistency.
Now, that's alot of information about Laksa which I didn't know.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Prayers - a man's best deeds
Some days I travel near, some days I travel far. I'm not talking about travelling to my workplace but rather, 'travelling spiritually' during my prayers. And most unfortunately, not even anywhere near God but everywhere that my thoughts would bring me. That's actually not something to be proud of though.
I really hope I can improve the state of humility and awareness during my Prayer. So I kept on finding the most suitable book that, insya allah will help me in achieving my goals. This excerpt that i'm highlighting here is from the book: The Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Ghazali. (you can get it from Wardah Bookshop)
Internal Prerequisites of Prayer: Actions of the Heart
Many Quranic Verses and traditions could be cited in evidence of this, including the words of God, Exalted is He:
'And perform the Prayer to remember Me.' (Surah Ta Ha, 20:14)
The obvious force of the imperative is to make something obligatory. Since heedlessness is the opposite of remembrance, how can someone who is heedless throughout his Prayer be performing it in remembrance of God? The Exalted One said:
'Do not be one of those who are neglectful.' (Surah al-A'raf, 7:205)
Here we have a negative imperative, with the obvious foce of a prohibition. God, Great and Glorious is He, also says:
'... until you know what you are saying.' (surah al-Nisa, 4:43)
This explains the reason for debarring those who are intoxicated(from the Mosque), but the term 'intoxicated' applies by extension to those who are wholly preoccupied with temptations and worldly thoughts.
When the Prophet saw, said: 'The prayer is nothing but submissiveness and humility....' he used a particularly definite and emphatic construction in Arabic. He also said: 'If a man's Prayer does not deter him from indecency and mischief, he gains nothing from God but remoteness.' Heedless Prayer does nothing to deter a man from these vices. The heedless are alluded to in the Tradition: ' Many of those who pray derive nothing from their prayers except weariness and strain. The Prophet saw said: 'A man gets credit only for that part of his Prayer of which he is conscious.' This is confirmed by the Tradition: 'When performing the Prayer, one is conversing intimately with one's Lord. Speaking in a state of heedlessness is certainly not what is meant by intimate conversation with the Lord.
What is the point of praying: 'Show us the Straight Path,' if one is in a state of absent-mindedness?If it is not intended as a humble entreaty and supplication, why bother with the idle mouthing of the words, especially if it has become a habit?
The purpose of Quranic recitation and expressions of remembrance (at various stages in the ritual Payer) is undoubtedly praises and glorifications, supplications and entreaties, addressed to God, Great and Glorious is He. But the veil of heedlessness screens the heart from Him. Far from seeing or witnessing Him, the heedless worshipper is not even aware of Whom he is addressing, as his tongue moves purely from force of habit. How remote this is from the purpose of ritual Prayer, which was prescribed for the refinement of the heart, the renewal of Divine remembrance, and to secure the knot of faith!
Ritual Prayer has been made the chief pillar of religion, the criterion for distinguishing between unbelief and Islam. It takes precedence over the Pilgrimage and other forms of worship. It is unique in having capital punishment as the penalty for its abandonment. I (writer) do not believe that ritual Prayer enjoys all this special dignity by virtue of its external motions, unless these are linked to the purpose of intimate communion with God. That is what has priority over Fasting, Zakat, Prilgrimage and so on; indeed over sacrifices and offerings which entail self denial through financial outlay. As God, Exalted is He says:
'It is not their flesh nor their blood that reaches Him. It is your devotion that reaches Him.' (surah al-Hajj 22:37)
What is meant here by 'devotion' (taqwa), is a quality that gains control over the heart, disposing it to comply with the commands it is required to obey.
What, then, of the ritual Prayer, if its actions are without purpose?
___________________________________________________________________
That marks the end of the excerpt.
Well, this acts as a warning for myself. To remind myself the importance of gathering all my humility and awareness for the One Lord, Most Majestic, Most High, the all-Knowing.
Disclaimer: I am only a lowly servant who wants to seek solace and obedience with my Lord. I am in no position to judge anyone or to pass comments on anyone.
I really hope I can improve the state of humility and awareness during my Prayer. So I kept on finding the most suitable book that, insya allah will help me in achieving my goals. This excerpt that i'm highlighting here is from the book: The Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Ghazali. (you can get it from Wardah Bookshop)
Internal Prerequisites of Prayer: Actions of the Heart
Many Quranic Verses and traditions could be cited in evidence of this, including the words of God, Exalted is He:
'And perform the Prayer to remember Me.' (Surah Ta Ha, 20:14)
The obvious force of the imperative is to make something obligatory. Since heedlessness is the opposite of remembrance, how can someone who is heedless throughout his Prayer be performing it in remembrance of God? The Exalted One said:
'Do not be one of those who are neglectful.' (Surah al-A'raf, 7:205)
Here we have a negative imperative, with the obvious foce of a prohibition. God, Great and Glorious is He, also says:
'... until you know what you are saying.' (surah al-Nisa, 4:43)
This explains the reason for debarring those who are intoxicated(from the Mosque), but the term 'intoxicated' applies by extension to those who are wholly preoccupied with temptations and worldly thoughts.
When the Prophet saw, said: 'The prayer is nothing but submissiveness and humility....' he used a particularly definite and emphatic construction in Arabic. He also said: 'If a man's Prayer does not deter him from indecency and mischief, he gains nothing from God but remoteness.' Heedless Prayer does nothing to deter a man from these vices. The heedless are alluded to in the Tradition: ' Many of those who pray derive nothing from their prayers except weariness and strain. The Prophet saw said: 'A man gets credit only for that part of his Prayer of which he is conscious.' This is confirmed by the Tradition: 'When performing the Prayer, one is conversing intimately with one's Lord. Speaking in a state of heedlessness is certainly not what is meant by intimate conversation with the Lord.
What is the point of praying: 'Show us the Straight Path,' if one is in a state of absent-mindedness?If it is not intended as a humble entreaty and supplication, why bother with the idle mouthing of the words, especially if it has become a habit?
The purpose of Quranic recitation and expressions of remembrance (at various stages in the ritual Payer) is undoubtedly praises and glorifications, supplications and entreaties, addressed to God, Great and Glorious is He. But the veil of heedlessness screens the heart from Him. Far from seeing or witnessing Him, the heedless worshipper is not even aware of Whom he is addressing, as his tongue moves purely from force of habit. How remote this is from the purpose of ritual Prayer, which was prescribed for the refinement of the heart, the renewal of Divine remembrance, and to secure the knot of faith!
Ritual Prayer has been made the chief pillar of religion, the criterion for distinguishing between unbelief and Islam. It takes precedence over the Pilgrimage and other forms of worship. It is unique in having capital punishment as the penalty for its abandonment. I (writer) do not believe that ritual Prayer enjoys all this special dignity by virtue of its external motions, unless these are linked to the purpose of intimate communion with God. That is what has priority over Fasting, Zakat, Prilgrimage and so on; indeed over sacrifices and offerings which entail self denial through financial outlay. As God, Exalted is He says:
'It is not their flesh nor their blood that reaches Him. It is your devotion that reaches Him.' (surah al-Hajj 22:37)
What is meant here by 'devotion' (taqwa), is a quality that gains control over the heart, disposing it to comply with the commands it is required to obey.
What, then, of the ritual Prayer, if its actions are without purpose?
___________________________________________________________________
That marks the end of the excerpt.
Well, this acts as a warning for myself. To remind myself the importance of gathering all my humility and awareness for the One Lord, Most Majestic, Most High, the all-Knowing.
Disclaimer: I am only a lowly servant who wants to seek solace and obedience with my Lord. I am in no position to judge anyone or to pass comments on anyone.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Do not despair
Do not despair of Allah's mercy.(Al-Zumar:53).Do not despair when in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in receiving the expected gift. He has guaranteed that he will respond what He chooses for you, and not what you choose for yourself,and at the time He chooses not the time you desire. (Ibn Ata'illah)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Flashback through a black Ford
My husband and I was supposed to meet his long time friend for a reunion and a very early farewell dinner. But it was postponed to Sunday due to some personal committments that he had to attend to. So after we finished cleaning the house, we washed up, changed and left home for magrib at a nearby mosque.
Straight after prayers, we went to his usual makan place at Bukit Timah. We have been here for umpteen times, so much so that we don't need the menu. Flipping the pages of the menu is just a formality. And that's because we always have our usuals. Not that we weren't daring enough to try other things, but somehow it's either this dish or that. Mee bandung was a long time favourite for me there but on 2 occassions, the standards dropped so badly that the soup was so oily that i barely touched it. (usually i finished most of the soup) So we decided to abandon that, assuming that there was a change of chef and the standards have deteriorated. We hardly patronise that restaurant nowadays.
I was sitting near to the walkway and the carpark lots located alongside the restaurant. Taa-dah, i saw this familiar vehicle parked right infront of me:
Straight after prayers, we went to his usual makan place at Bukit Timah. We have been here for umpteen times, so much so that we don't need the menu. Flipping the pages of the menu is just a formality. And that's because we always have our usuals. Not that we weren't daring enough to try other things, but somehow it's either this dish or that. Mee bandung was a long time favourite for me there but on 2 occassions, the standards dropped so badly that the soup was so oily that i barely touched it. (usually i finished most of the soup) So we decided to abandon that, assuming that there was a change of chef and the standards have deteriorated. We hardly patronise that restaurant nowadays.
I was sitting near to the walkway and the carpark lots located alongside the restaurant. Taa-dah, i saw this familiar vehicle parked right infront of me:
I looked around but I didn't see him. When i finished my dinner, I stood up and I saw him and his wife at another table near the wash basin. Oh my God! I need to walk to that area. My hubby told me to say hi but i didn't dare to. As I walked past, he stood up too and almost hit me. I didn't turn my head and went straight to the basin. When I walked back, he was still at the cashier. But he didn't see me. I went back to my seat and my hubby asked me why didn't I greet my friend. I told him I was shy because his wife was around. Or perhaps I wasn't courageous enough to face them. Why? I wasn't sure myself either.
My hubby being the funny one, waved at him when he got into the car. But I told him not to. Because his window shield is darkly tinted(we can't see him but they can see us), so even if he sees us waving at him, he might wave back and we wouldn't know. Or he could have seen us but plainly ignored. I was procrastinating if I should email him to ask him if he sees us.
Arrgghh, flashes of memories returned...
And I finaally met his wife. In a silent mode.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Birthday Present
My husband claims that he is giving me either one of these as a birthday present:
How real is his promise coming true..... Allah knows best...
Well, now i have to make up my mind to decide which one i like; the Mazda 2 hatchback or 5-door or the Ford Focus hatchback....
Tough decision to make though. :)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Look at the bigger picture
It was said that Allah revealed to Prophet 'Uzayr a.s, "O 'Uzayr! If you committed a small sin, do not look at its smallness; rather look at Whom you have sinned against. If you are granted a small blessing, do not look at its smallness; rather look at the One who has granted it to you. And if a calamity befalls you, then do not complain against Me to My creation, just as I do not complain against you to My angels when your bad deeds are raised to Me."
(taken from Imam Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Preparing for the day of Judgement)
(taken from Imam Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Preparing for the day of Judgement)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Toilet interview
It's so hard to get squatting toilet bowls in modern buildings these days. Even if it exists, there would only be ONE. So after working here for almost a year now, there were only a few 'regulars' using that squatting cubicle. Besides the Muslimah colleagues in my office, not many of the other Chinese or Indian likes to use that cubicle.
But apparently, all of my colleagues have noticed that there was another colleague from another department in the same block likes to use that toilet too. At times, she would stand right infront of the cubicle and wait. At other times, when she is inside, she would take ages to come out. (right now, it seems like i know 'every toilet user' in this block.Haha) And after a few encounters in and out of the toilet, she hardly put on a smile on her face.
But things began to change when she caught me speaking mandarin. O Allah, may you please forgive your servant, for I have no intention to brag. Frankly speaking, a mandarin speaking tudung clad woman catches attention.(Of course, not the looks but the lingo she uses) So right after she heard me, she turned around and asked me:'Oh, you can speak mandarin?' And i replied; 'Yeah'. We didn't interact much that day.
And so we met again. But it was in the toilet. Not quite an ideal place to da'wah. But if Allah swt put me in that situation, so be it. And here goes our conversation:
B.C :'So you are that girl right, that can speak mandarin?'
me :'Yes, that's me.'
B.C :You chinese or malay?
me :'Chinese Muslim'.
B.C :'Why you convert?
me :'I was searching for the truth of my existence in this world. I was a Buddhist before but didn't get my answers, and I chanced upon Islam and realised that this should be the right religion.
B.C :'Actually i think all religion is good and true.'
me :'Hmm... not quite. Islam want you to acknowledge the one and only God.'(at this point, she didn't wanted to ask further about Islam from her face expression)
B.C :'so your husband malay?'
me: 'Nope, he's also a Chinese.'
B.C :'oh, that's strange. I hardly know got such thing. So when did he convert?after knowing you?
me :'nope he converted at quite a young age of 18. So it was through a mutual friend that we began to know each other.'
B.C :'So your family all muslims?
me :'Nope, just me.'
B.C :'oh why like that? Your parents ok with it?
me :'not quite ok at first. but now they are ok.'
B.C :'But why you dressed like that?' i thought only Malay dress like that?'
me: 'this is how all Muslims dress.' God wanted all women to cover themselves modestly, that's why we cover ourselves.'
B.C :'But not all Muslims wear like that right?'
me :'eerrmm...'
I couldn't remember how we ended the conversation. As much as I want to share more details about the beauty of Islam, but normally people only like to ask what B.C asked and not about the religion per se. It's a pity though but never mind; for Allah wills whom He guides.
And Allah swt works miraculously in ways you can't imagine. so we leave it to our Creator and Sustainer of the Worlds.
Now, B.C is so friendly. and we even greet each other in the toilet.
But apparently, all of my colleagues have noticed that there was another colleague from another department in the same block likes to use that toilet too. At times, she would stand right infront of the cubicle and wait. At other times, when she is inside, she would take ages to come out. (right now, it seems like i know 'every toilet user' in this block.Haha) And after a few encounters in and out of the toilet, she hardly put on a smile on her face.
But things began to change when she caught me speaking mandarin. O Allah, may you please forgive your servant, for I have no intention to brag. Frankly speaking, a mandarin speaking tudung clad woman catches attention.(Of course, not the looks but the lingo she uses) So right after she heard me, she turned around and asked me:'Oh, you can speak mandarin?' And i replied; 'Yeah'. We didn't interact much that day.
And so we met again. But it was in the toilet. Not quite an ideal place to da'wah. But if Allah swt put me in that situation, so be it. And here goes our conversation:
B.C :'So you are that girl right, that can speak mandarin?'
me :'Yes, that's me.'
B.C :You chinese or malay?
me :'Chinese Muslim'.
B.C :'Why you convert?
me :'I was searching for the truth of my existence in this world. I was a Buddhist before but didn't get my answers, and I chanced upon Islam and realised that this should be the right religion.
B.C :'Actually i think all religion is good and true.'
me :'Hmm... not quite. Islam want you to acknowledge the one and only God.'(at this point, she didn't wanted to ask further about Islam from her face expression)
B.C :'so your husband malay?'
me: 'Nope, he's also a Chinese.'
B.C :'oh, that's strange. I hardly know got such thing. So when did he convert?after knowing you?
me :'nope he converted at quite a young age of 18. So it was through a mutual friend that we began to know each other.'
B.C :'So your family all muslims?
me :'Nope, just me.'
B.C :'oh why like that? Your parents ok with it?
me :'not quite ok at first. but now they are ok.'
B.C :'But why you dressed like that?' i thought only Malay dress like that?'
me: 'this is how all Muslims dress.' God wanted all women to cover themselves modestly, that's why we cover ourselves.'
B.C :'But not all Muslims wear like that right?'
me :'eerrmm...'
I couldn't remember how we ended the conversation. As much as I want to share more details about the beauty of Islam, but normally people only like to ask what B.C asked and not about the religion per se. It's a pity though but never mind; for Allah wills whom He guides.
And Allah swt works miraculously in ways you can't imagine. so we leave it to our Creator and Sustainer of the Worlds.
Now, B.C is so friendly. and we even greet each other in the toilet.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Surah Al Nur
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.
The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche
And within it a Lamp:
The Lamp enclosed in glass;
The glass as it were a brilliant star:
Lit from a blessed tree, an Olive,
Neither of the East nor of the West,
Whose oil is well-nigh luminous,
Though fire scarce touched it:
Light upon Light!
Allah do guide whom He will to His light:
Allah do set forth parables for men:
And Allah do know all things.
(Lit is such a light) in houses,
Which Allah have permitted to be raised to honour;
For the celebration, in them, of his name:
In them is He glorified in the mornings
And in the evenings, (again and again).
(Quran 24:35~36)
The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche
And within it a Lamp:
The Lamp enclosed in glass;
The glass as it were a brilliant star:
Lit from a blessed tree, an Olive,
Neither of the East nor of the West,
Whose oil is well-nigh luminous,
Though fire scarce touched it:
Light upon Light!
Allah do guide whom He will to His light:
Allah do set forth parables for men:
And Allah do know all things.
(Lit is such a light) in houses,
Which Allah have permitted to be raised to honour;
For the celebration, in them, of his name:
In them is He glorified in the mornings
And in the evenings, (again and again).
(Quran 24:35~36)
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Prophet s.a.w - our Perfect Exemplar
"And thou (Muhammad) standest on an exalted standard of character. "
(Qur'an : Al Qalam 68:4)
Thus the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w himself said:
''Verily I have not been raised (as a Prophet) except to perfect the noble nature ( ahklaq) of mankind''. (Hadith)
Muslims, who bear witness that Muhammad s.a.w is the Messenger of Allah. We regard him as our teacher, guide and leader. Muhammad s.a.w. was sent as a mercyfor mankind and Allah refferred to him as the best examplar:
''Verily, in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example for everyone who looks forward (with hopes and awes) to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah unceasingly''. (Qur'an: Al Ahzab 33:21)
Allah SWT, our Creator, has provided for us the way. Islam being the code for living, the guidance. As to how we should follow this, it is not merely the superficial adherence to its laws alone. Rather, being Muslims, requires us to emulate Muhammad s.a.w. for he epitomises the perfect man, who submitted and obeyed Allah. Thereby Allah educated and moulded his life and adorned it with exalted character. This is what Man should become, when he devotes himself as a servant of Allah. Although physically Man shares certain similarities with animals, he is destined to become the noblest of all of Allah's creatures. It is not something farfetched nor an idealist dream, but a reality which has been demonstrated in the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, a man perfected by God.
I would like to share with all an interesting article from the desk of my teacher, Ustaz Zhulkeflee
http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/2008/04/story-of-animals-in-farm.html
(Qur'an : Al Qalam 68:4)
Thus the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w himself said:
''Verily I have not been raised (as a Prophet) except to perfect the noble nature ( ahklaq) of mankind''. (Hadith)
Muslims, who bear witness that Muhammad s.a.w is the Messenger of Allah. We regard him as our teacher, guide and leader. Muhammad s.a.w. was sent as a mercyfor mankind and Allah refferred to him as the best examplar:
''Verily, in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example for everyone who looks forward (with hopes and awes) to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah unceasingly''. (Qur'an: Al Ahzab 33:21)
Allah SWT, our Creator, has provided for us the way. Islam being the code for living, the guidance. As to how we should follow this, it is not merely the superficial adherence to its laws alone. Rather, being Muslims, requires us to emulate Muhammad s.a.w. for he epitomises the perfect man, who submitted and obeyed Allah. Thereby Allah educated and moulded his life and adorned it with exalted character. This is what Man should become, when he devotes himself as a servant of Allah. Although physically Man shares certain similarities with animals, he is destined to become the noblest of all of Allah's creatures. It is not something farfetched nor an idealist dream, but a reality which has been demonstrated in the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, a man perfected by God.
I would like to share with all an interesting article from the desk of my teacher, Ustaz Zhulkeflee
http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/2008/04/story-of-animals-in-farm.html
Monday, May 05, 2008
Reflection article in the new millenium
Here's another article which made me ponder alot too:
http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-millenium-reflection-as-witnesses.html
Once you are on his blog, you get to read so many articles there. Alhamdulillah.
http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-millenium-reflection-as-witnesses.html
Once you are on his blog, you get to read so many articles there. Alhamdulillah.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Seminar on 'Our Beloved Mustafa'
I attended this seminar with my husband on Saturday, 3May 08. I was attracted to this seminar for several reasons mainly:1.wanted to know more about our beloved Prophet saw
2.after knowing more, insya allah, be able to carry out his examples towards mankind.
3.to inculcate and instill a deeper love towards him. insya allah.
4.there were so many esteemed speakers. They were all my 'favourites'.
5.there was Qasidah and burdah recitals too. 'Live' somemore... (what more can you ask??)
6.and this was Ust Saifur's last participation
When we arrived, the Qasidah had already began. There were only back row seats available,that's because we were late. sob sob. We were given a folder with the program outline and the presentation papers inside. Masya allah, the papers prepared were packed with powerful knowledge about our Prophet saw.
The eminent As-Sayyid As-ShaykhAfeefuddin al-Gaylani, the 19th direct descendant of the famous scholar and saint ofIslam, Shaykh AbdulQadir al-Gaylani (1077-1166 AD/472-561Hijrah) delivered the keynote address for the seminar. He had shared with us many characteristics of Prophet saw that we should emulate with stories I never heard before.('cause my knowledge is limited) He talked and talked and everyone enjoyed what he shared, so perhaps it had lapsed into the other speaker's time. He was supposed to stay back but he had to rush off to Malaysia for a funeral.
The next esteemed speaker is our Prof Syed Farid from NUS. He is very good too. He talked about The Image of Prophet Muhammad and Islam today-Where did we go wrong? It's a good subject but somehow, there wasn't enough time for him to share with us his paper. Being a prof, i'm sure his research papers aren't limited to just that 30minutes or less. Anyhow, he still continued talking and asked for additional 10minutes. There wasn't enough time for Q&A either. I wanted to ask a question but couldn't find the opportunity. sad.
Then next was my ex teacher, Ust Mohammad Iqbal. He's well known as 'The convert who accomplished alot'. He presented, 'The Guidance and Counsel of Saiyidinna Muhammad saw.He too, had given us alot of hadith stories about our Prophet saw. And again, he was also prompted that he didn't have much time left, and likewise as the speakers before him, he couldn't finish what he wanted.
We broke for Asar prayers and refreshments. It didn't start ontime as scheduled henceforth, the constraint of time kept snowballing and snowballing from one speaker to another. From Shaykh Mohd Ibrahim(the Message of Rasullulah) to Ust Firdaus Yahya(Scenes from the Prophet of Mercy) (he's good with astronomy at Mjd Al-Falah) and then Ust Saifur Rahman(the Path of Love-Burdah of Imam Al-Busairi), everyone had to be so concerned with the time. Despite having such knowledgeable speakers and their marvellous notes, it wasn't that enjoyable to a certain extent because of the time factor.
Of course, SimplyIslam.sg really have to be applauded for their efforts to bring in so many knowledgeable and esteemed speakers but hopefully with the feedback i gave them, they would not squeeze in so many 'excellent stuff' within such a small frame of time.
Perhaps over the weekend would be fine. I wouldn't mind coming back twice to enjoy such marvellous 'company' amongst these speakers.
Nevertheless, thumbs up for the organisers and the seminar! Keep up the good work!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Have mercy upon us, Allah swt
I thought that it would be the end of my means of being close to my teacher, or attending his classes or acquiring knowledge when he came down with a stroke.
When I heard from another muslim sister that he had started a blog, masya allah! I was so elated. Finally I get a platform to communicate to him and enjoy the vast knowledge that Allah swt had bestowed upon him. Alhamdulillah, Allah didn't take him away from us. Yet.
Here's his blog address: (have sought his permission)
http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/
When I heard from another muslim sister that he had started a blog, masya allah! I was so elated. Finally I get a platform to communicate to him and enjoy the vast knowledge that Allah swt had bestowed upon him. Alhamdulillah, Allah didn't take him away from us. Yet.
Here's his blog address: (have sought his permission)
http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/
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