What can Muslims do when we miss others?

Bismillah.

When you miss someone, be it mummy, daddy, family, etc..:

Make lots of du'as for them.. For their safety, protection and steadfastness.

There isn't really any shortcut when it comes to the matter of the heart. No doubt it's difficult to deal with such emotions, especially women as Allah made us that way.

But alhamdulillah, Allah SWT is there for us at all times. Make the AQ your mate and reflect upon it. Listen to nasheed (I love Ya Adheeman) to develop you peace of the mind.

Fill your heart, mind, body and soul with Allah SWT as truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest, ease and serenity, iA.

Some du'as we can recite:

1. Hasbiyallahu wa ni'mal wakeel

Allah is sufficient for me and what an Excellent Patron He is

2. Allahumma rahmataka arjoo , falaa takilnii ilaa nafsee tarfatha aynin wa aslih lee sha'nee kullahu, Laa ilaaha ila anta

O' Allah, I look upon Your Mercy, so leave me not to myself even a blink of an eye and set right all my affairs. There is no deity except You

3. Allahumma agfirlee khatee'atee wa jahlee wa israfee fee amree wa maa anta a'lamu bihi minnee

O' Allah, forgive all my sins, my ignorance, my squandering in my matters and whatever You know more about me than myself

4. Allahumma alhimnee rushdee wa ai'zinee min sharri nafsee

O' Allah, give me a conviction of the goodness of my faith and save me from the base tendencies of my own self.

#sharingiscaring #justmakelotsofdua

oh, and don't forget to smile.. =) haha

WAllahua'lam.

Ramadhan has come to an end. What's next eh?

Bismillah.

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrates! It's really sad that Ramadan has left us but anyway, may we be given the chance to be able to experience another Ramadan and also to keep up with our good habits we have been at for the past month. Don't let it stop just cos ramadan has ended. After all, Islam is not all about Ramadan, yes? So keep inspiring and encouraging yourself to stick to those habits which brings you closer to your one and only Creator, iAllah.

May Allah (SWT) accept all our prayers, du'as and other ibadah during the whole holy month of Ramadan, iAllah. Amin.

Also, Syawal comes after the month of Ramadan. And when I hear the month of Syawal, the first thing that comes to mind is "6 white days" i.e. the fasting of 6 days during this month.

Just in case there are some people (such as myself years back) who's not been enlightened on this matter, six white days refers to fasting for 6 days in the month of Syawal. It is said that the ajr/rewards/pahala for this ibadah is equivalent to the ajr of fasting for a year. Hence, why not do it if you're capable, no? =)

Quote quote:

"Sesiapa yang berpuasa Ramadan kemudian diikuti dengan puasa enam hari pada bulan Syawal, seolah-olah dia berpuasa sepanjang tahun." (Hadis riwayat Muslim).

For more information on Puasa Six, you can click on me (Note: It's in Malay).

SO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY fellow brothers and sisters! Carpe diem! as time and tide waits for no men.

WAllahua'lam.

Night of Laylatul Qadr

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum and greetings to all. 

First off, forgive me for any incoherence in this post. The main point is just to share some information with my fellow brothers and sisters. 

Laylatul qadr aka the night of Decree.. 

(97:3) - The night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

Prophet (s.a.w.s) said: "Whoever passes Laylatul Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah SWT will have his past sins forgiven." (Bukhari, Muslim)

here's a good link..  http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?270547-Laylatul-Qadr-Better-than-a-thousand-months-(97-3)-16-things-to-do

DON'T let Ramadan go by without seeking/gaining Allah's SWT forgiveness:

The angel Jibraeel (A.S.) appeared before the Prophet (S) and said, "Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness" upon that the Prophet (S) said 'Ameen'. (Hakim, Bayhaqi)

So, worship sincerely in these last 10 days seeking out Laylatul Qadr and try your best to win the pleasure of Allah SWT.

When and which day is this grand night on? 

The Prophet SAW said: 'Seek out Laylatul Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Bukhari) 

Aisha, may Allah SWT be pleased with her, said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the final 10 nights of Ramadhan. (Bukhari)

What should we all do? 

Strive your best in worshipping Him in the final 10 days. Pray more, read more Qur'an, make more du'as. Try to stick to Sunnah and those written in AQ.. Avoid bid'ah acts.

The Prophet SAW used to strive in worship during the last ten days of Ramadhan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. (Muslim)

In the last nights of Ramadhan, Prophet SAW secluded himself in Itikaf and seeking Laylatul Qadr during this time. (Bukhari)

"The Prophet SAW used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights." (Bukhari, Muslim)

Du'as to make for Laylatul Qadar:

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Laylatul Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwaa fa'fu 'annee."

اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
(O' Allah, You are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.)
(at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Why is it so special for the Muslims?

- It is the night on which the Quran was sent down.
(97:1) - "Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). "

- Allah described it as being better than a thousand months.
(97:3) - "The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months" Commentary by Ibn Kathir: Worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months.

- Allah described it as being blessed.
(44:3) - "We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night"

- Many angels descend of this night because it is so blessed
(97:4) - "On this night, the angels and al-Ruh (angel Jibreel a.s.) descend"

- This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the Shaytan cannot do any evil and many people are saved from punishment because of worshipping Allah.
(97:5) - "Peace until the appearance of dawn."

- The affairs of the year are dispatched from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to the angels who record the decrees: who will live, who will die, what provision people will be given, what will happen until the end of that year, every matter of ordainments is decreed.

(44:4) - "Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments" 
Ibn 'Abbas said: "You may see a man furnishing his home or plowing his field, and he is one of those who are going to die," i.e., it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadr that he is one of those who are going to die (in the coming year). And it was said that on this night, the destiny of people is shown to the angels." All of this is already known to Allah before it is even written down, but He makes known to the angels what is to happen, and commands them to do whatever they are enjoined to do. [Sahih Muslim li'l-Nawawi, 8/57] 

WAllahua'lam.

Love, Marriage & Selecting Your Life Partner: Etiquette in Islam - By: Yasmin Mogahed

Bismillah.

Sharing is caring. I guess it's worth listening though it's something most of us already know, it serves as a good reminder regardless since us human tend to forget to acknowledge things despite knowing what's right or wrong in our hearts. Ignorance is indeed seeded in every being, what distinguishes one from another is how he/she deals and work around it.



The talk has a very nice touch to its ending.. we love through Allah not love Allah through anything else.. i.e. we love Allah and Allah loves smthg therefore we love that smthg cos Allah loves it..

Anyway, hope everyone is having a good ramadhan so far.

WAllahua'lam.

BISMILLAH

Ramadhan advice - video (Sh. Hamza Y.)

Please note: This is a re-post of a previous post to serve as a refresher for myself and others. 


Bismillah.



Salam alaik & Greetings to all !

So I'm sure everyone is aware that Ramadhan is just around the corner and here is a very nice and touching video I'd like to share with all so that it's not only me who benefits from such a wonderful talk by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. (Thanks to a dear friend of mine who's so kind to share it with me.) Note: The beginning might not be that appealing but bear with the intro cos the talk gets more and more interesting. Trust me! HIS MESSAGE IS AWESOME!

Do listen to it. It's just ~12 mins. I'm sure you can spare 12 minutes even if you're the most busy person in the world, be it president of the States, busy studying for exam, etc. Seriously, if you don't make time, you'll forever be the I-don't-have-time person. Time and tide waits for no man. Remember, make time for Him and He'll make time for you in return. =) You never know when He'll strip you off your life. Life is fragile.

P/s: Love your God more than any other thing/creation in this Dunya. Live your life as best as you can in this temporary world, for Him and for Jannah aka Paradise! =)

WAllahua'lam.

Ramadhan 2012 (AQ mentions fasting)

Note: This is a re-post of a previous post to serve as a reminder for myself and others.

Bismillah.

Just to wish all my brothers and sisters ramadhan al-Mubarak and happy fasting. May we all make the most out of this month of mercy, barakah(blessings&rewards), opportunities, etc.

(Al-Baqarah,2:183-186)

[183] O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous - 

[184] (Fasting for) a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) - then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) - a ransom/fidyah (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. 

[185] The month of Ramadhan (is that) in which was revealed in the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. 

[186] And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation(prayers/du'as) of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.

WAllahua'lam.

Time management

Bismillah.

Assalamualaikum & Greetings!

Alhamdulillah. Praise be to Allah SWT for such a wonderful day.

I have to say that I am very happy for today's opportunity to go for Friday prayers as I have not gone for it in such a long time. Yes, it is unfortunate but I don't have much of a choice either. Attending it this afternoon definitely brought joy to me and enriched my soul all over again. Seeing so many brothers and sisters, all of us walking towards prayer in congregation. MASHALLAH, what a blessing it is for me to witness this! As if "refueling" the spirit of my Imaan. It also reminded me of why I love Islam so very much, how I fell in love with it. Alhamdulillah. Such rejuvenation and  refreshing feeling, ahh, THANK YOU GOD! =)

Thus, I would like to share the main point of today's khutbah regarding time management.

Always remind ourselves and others to NOT WASTE our:

TIME
ENERGY
RESOURCES
BOUNTY
ETC.

Manage time wisely with beneficial stuff. Support it with our tongue and actions. Ask yourself, do you spend too much time online? And if you do, what kind of stuff are you browsing or doing? Keeping up with world news, scientific discoveries, finance updates, philosophical ebook/articles, iQuran, etc.? Or is it more of social networking, blogging, gaming, movies, drama, etc.? Do you spend too much time in front of TV or doing sports/gym/outdoors? Remember, everything must be done in moderation. Too much of ANYTHING is usually unhealthy for anybody. BALANCE IS THE KEY - one of my favourite phrase.

(And yes, you CAN be your own judge. Are you happy with your answers? You get the drift =))

Keep in mind a majority of those who spend a lot of their time in the remembrance of Allah (SWT) are usually the ones with most peaceful and sound heart.

Nobody's asking you to sacrifice your career or interests to do this. You just got to plan and prioritise well. You will inshaAllah be able to spend time for Him and also have time for your work and other hobbies.

Well, that's in a nutshell of the khutbah. I enjoyed the jemaah prayers. Feels so good!! *Happy*

WAllahua'lam


P/s: Those interested in a planner (taskinator from productive muslim site), you can download it from the folder found at the top of this blog page. Hope it helps some of you out there to better organise your events.

Every soul shall taste death.. perhaps tomorrow?

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your full compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So whoever is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, it is indeed he who has succeeded. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

(3:1)

World's coming to an end

Bismillah.

The Hour is coming, I almost keep it from the knowledge of others so that every self can be repaid for its efforts. (Surah Ta-Ha, 20: 15)

Yusuf Ali (I quite like this version as it's more direct and simpler to comprehend for a majority of readers.)

"Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour.

So a couple of days back, Sunday at the break of dawn, if I'm not mistaken, I heard some intensely horrible news on CBC channel, really struck me and my thoughts traveled at lightning speed (hm, maybe a tad much of a drama queen here) right to the moment where I was seated at RIS Knowledge Retreat during one of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's slot; the time he played slides of images of things and events which are signs of End of the Day. One of it being plane crashes that will occur without even the slightest idea of how it could have happened or what caused it, etc.

"A commercial airliner crashed into a densely populated neighbourhood in Nigeria's largest city on Sunday, killing all 153 people on board and others on the ground in the worst air disaster in nearly two decades for the troubled nation.

The cause of the Dana Air crash in Lagos remained unknown Sunday night,..."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/06/03/nigeria-plane-crash.html

Inna lillahi wa ina ilaihi raji un. So many people lost their lives. These are loved ones of some people out there. ='( 

What Shaykh HY pointed out is right. We should realise that Signs have been sent unto us since a long time ago with disasters taking place literally everywhere and sometimes at locations that doesn't even make sense.  (As in, geographically speaking, certain phenomena just ain't suppose to occur at some places YET it does happen) SubhanAllah, such is His Power!! Heed it, men.

What are they awaiting but for the Hour to come upon them suddenly? Its Signs have already come. What good will their Reminder be to them when it does arrive?  (Surah Muhammad: 18)

WAllahua'lam

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's Poetry for the Prophet

Bismillah.

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and Greetings to all,

Here's something I came across on a friend's FB profile that I'd like to share with all as it is very beautifully written and structured. Oh-so-touching and mashaAllah, it's definitely worth your precious time, iAllah.

Part 2/2: Ever wondered what's in store after death?

Bismillah.

The following is continuation to the previous post. Sorry for the delay, been going through some hectic and troubled times and haven't been online much lately. Hope you guys benefit from this post. Oh, and please  constantly take care of your health, never take it for granted. Thank Him always for the good health He's given unto you.

_______________________________________________________________

Q: If during the barzakh dah mula (begins) punishments and kesenangan (ease/comfort) for the non-righteous and righteous respectively, does this indicate that they've sort of been "pre-judged" even before judgment day comes? If that's the case, during barzakh, this ppl has been determined as a believer/non-believer? Hm, and they still need to go through judgment day later?


A: Before I answer your question… (NOTE THAT PRINCIPLE III & IV IS MOST IMPORTANT TO OUR DISCUSSION, but I would like to walk through all four principles)

A few basic principles about judgement:  

PRINCIPLE I: God is just and you will be judged according to your own deeds

In Islam, the concept of judgement is very simple, clear, and logical. Just like in your exam, you start with a blank answer sheet, you’ve answered (you lived), you’ve submitted your paper (i.e. technically you die, but you will see later how death is not your ‘final answer’), you will be marked only for your own paper (your own deeds). This is what you will expect from a just examiner right? You aren’t going to be asked about Adam’s paper that starts with -100 mark suddenly (original sin in Christianity), or Muhammad, Jesus, your classmate needs to sacrifice himself to give you extra bonus mark or anything like that.

Firstly, the most basic principle is:

God is not unjust to His slaves. 22:10

So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. 99:7

And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. 99:8

That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another, and that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad)  53:39

God burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned 2:286

So the very basic principle is God will judge us justly (If He isn’t just, He isn’t God)  according to our deed, the only thing we worry about is our own deed, not if God screws up, because He won’t.

PRINCIPLE II: No one enters Paradise by his deeds alone

Principle I sounds great, everything is just and straightforward. But.. But.. this world is not objective, human life is complex, it’s not like this one deed = one pahala (reward) for everyone, different circumstances may make one deed harder for a person but easier for another person etc etc. So while God is just, and will never be unjust to His slave, this concept of just is not a mathematical objective scale of marking, but rather a holistic marking that considers all aspects of human life’s complexity and our relationship with Him:

The Prophet (salAllahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: "No one of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone."

They asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?"

He said, "Not even me, unless Allah covers me with His Grace and Mercy"

We will judged by all our deeds very justly, but He knows our life is more complex than just good deeds and bad deeds, and He will take that into account. For example in the hadith:

In the narration of Al-Bukhari, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said

"Once a dog was going round the well and was about to die out of thirst. A prostitute of Banu Israel happened to see it. So she took off her leather sock and lowered it into the well. She drew out some water and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of her action".

It is understood that the prostitute is forgiven and admitted to jannah (not sure if another narration explicitly stated enter jannah). So life is complex, God is merciful, we strive to be the best.

Part 1/2: Ever wondered what's in store after death?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Assalamualaikum & Greetings to all,


I wish everyone's in the best of health and as for us Muslims, may we always be blessed and in our highest state of Imaan constantly, inshaAllah.


Oh on a side note, just so you know, I do always wish to be able to write more here but yeah, I guess time flies and swoosh by too fast especially this past couple of months. MashaAllah, I am amazed at how one third of 2012 has already gone by!! Wallahi, I'm just in awe.


Anyway, back to the runaway before any crashing takes place **haha, in aviation mood atm. Yup, random much.** Here's sort of a Q & A regarding the topic of what comes after death. *coughs* hmm, sounds pretty intense of a subject chosen to discuss about eh. Haha, oh well.. (Anyhow, the replies are very well written and organised as well as pretty straightforward and simple to comprehend, this is why I would like to share it with others so it can benefit others as well. I'd say it is definitely worth a read albeit it being a tad bit long of a post.)


Part 2

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Q: What happens after we die? So judgment day is the same for all, or so I've been told. Then what happens to those who die first? I guess they're waiting? And I heard that this waiting period is something called barzakh? And where are they waiting?


A: The soul is not something in the material world right, it has no spatial location. i.e. the grave, cemetery, crematorium, etc. Js like where r u when u r asleep? Your body is in the bed, but your soul, Allahua’lam, nobody knows.

Firstly I think, consider the fact that we know very little about the soul. Scientifically speaking we have no idea what the soul is, as it is not in the material world. Like we know neurons fire in certain are of the brain and cause you to desire something etc, but we can’t describe fully why we feel everything in its glory, or what is consciousness, or how to bring the dead to life. The soul is beyond us:

“And they ask you concerning the Rûh (the Spirit); Say: "The Rûh (the Spirit): it is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little." (Qur'an 17:85).

So what we understand a little bit about the soul from revelation is that, after we die, the soul will depart from our physical body. It will be in another realm called barzakh, and hadiths on the description of this waiting time realm (barzakh) can be read here.

When judgement day come, every soul will be ‘raised up’ again or put into a ‘materialistic’ body (again we don’t know the nature of this  body or this new material world existence, it is not the same as our world/universe). Then we will be judged and will find our final abode:

“And because the hour is coming, there is no doubt about it; and because Allah shall raise up those who are in the graves.”Qur'an 22:7

Note that ‘graves’ here is not to be understood literally your grave that you were buried upon, it is a metaphorical expression for putting the soul back into a ‘physical existence’. As another verse below that mentions raising up, but not from the literal grave:

“Till when there comes to one of them the death he says: "My Rabb (Lord), send me back. That I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." Never, it is but a word he says. And beyond them is a Barzakh  until the day when they (all) are raised up." Qur'an 23: 99-100.

“Even so is the quickening (raising the dead)” Qur'an 35:9

And we know scientifically that this universe will collapse and cease to exists someday. As there is big bang, the universe expands, then there will be big crunch where the universe will collapse back into singularity (non-existence, time and space cease to exists). So we know the end of time is inevitable, the universe is not infinite, nor will it exists forever, so whatever we understand in Islam about the end of time is in line with what we observe scientifically. Then judgement day starts, this new universe, reality, the afterlife.

_______________________________________________________________

Q: "My Rabb (Lord), send me back. That I may work righteousness in the things I neglected."

Send me back? He's asking to be sent back into the world so he can rectify his mistakes and perform more goodness that he had used to neglect in life? huh? what?! this isnt referring to reborn right.. Islam doesnt have this concept, no?

Heart --> Self --> Life

Bismillah.

The world wears a hijab! SubhanAllah~! =]

Bismillah.

Dear sisters, do you know that so much of the world actually "wears hijab"?

YES!

The Earth is surrounded by the atmosphere and ozone later
Fresh fruits have peels on them
The sword is preserved in a sheath
An inked pen would dry without its cap
We put paperback and hardback covers on our books

A pen would be thrown away because it became useless without its cap
An apple without a peel becomes rotten
A banana without a peel would change in colour
And a woman is a 'beautiful flower' which every one wishes to pick so she should cover herself with the beautiful hijab
Subhan Allah, the world is wearing a hijab!

What about you? (but yes of course there are those who have circumstances and their reasons^^) Peace~

What if there's no tomorrow?

Bismillah.

As time passes...

Abdullah bin Masood RA said, "Indeed I hate to see a man idle, neither working for this world nor for the Hereafter."

Hassan Basri RA said, "O' son of Adam, indeed your are only but a number of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you leaves too."

Hassan also said, "I have met pious people who are more miserly with their time than they are with their wealth."

He also said in a sermon: Do not let the temporary and little charms of this world distract you and entice you and do not say tomorrow and tomorrow, for indeed you do not know when you will be called to head to Allah SWT.

WAllahua'lam.

NEVER STOP seeking knowledge and the truth

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Salam and greetings!

So I've been busy to update this blog of mine. But then again, time and tide waits for no man. I guess I gotta get myself on another gear so I'm able to do more with the 24 hours a day that God has so generously given me. So wiggle wiggle my way out of the current 'comfort zone' I am in, inshaAllah.

_________________________________________________________

Knowledge leads to paradise,

so seek knowledge.

ISLAM is based on 5 pillars, so DON'T ADD.

IMAN (Faith) is based on 6 pillars, so DON'T ADD.

HALAL & HARAM is already CLEAR, so DON'T CHANGE.

THE STRAIGHT & CROOKED PATH is CLEAR, so DON'T DEVIATE.

BID'AH is a misguidance that Leads to Hellfire,

Don't be an ignorant Muslim, <-- points to myself

Rather read the proof and CHANGE YOURSELF.

Don't blindly follow anyone with the exception of the Prophet (pbuh)

Pray on time, don't backbite, & fear ALLAH~!!

_________________________________________________________

So fellow Muslims,

If we want to change this society,
If we want to change the direction of this society,
If we want to affect this society,
We have to first REFORM ourselves.

May Allah free our neck from Hellfire
May Allah guide those who seek truth
May Allah unite us upon the understanding of Salaah

and most importantly

May Allah give me the ability to complete the next task all in His Name and for His Sake.


WAllahua'lam.

LET'S MAKE EFFORT 2 PRAY ON TIME~!!

astaghfirulla astaghfirulla...

Purity, Simplicity, & Balance

Bismillah.

And I quote, "avoid regret by lowering our expectations about the results of our decision.."

"Choose when to choose.. I have chosen to make a choice and after that I will be satisfied with it. In a consumeristic society, we should seek what is good enough rather than always wanting the best because the problem is, there will always be a better item, or a better looking spouse, school, job, etc out there. We should be ppl who say "you know what, that is good enough," NOT to avoid pursuing excellence but it doesn't mean that in everything we need the best bcos with that we will never be satisfied."

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "When you see someone who has more, look to someone who has less bcos when we see someone who has more, we are frustrated but when we see someone who has less, then we feel gratitude."

- Dr. Ingrid Mattson

3. PART 1/2: What is Love?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Let's seek His Love~

Assalamu ‘alaykum & Greetings to all,

Hope everyone’s in the pink of health and for us Muslims, may we all constantly be in our highest state of Imaan, inshaAllah. So for first timers, this post addresses the 3^rd topic of  “Towards the Truth Conference 2011” Series that I wrote around mid-2011.

Please note that the following are based on my note-taking coupled with my annotations. Thank you.

_______________________________________________________________

Speaker 1: Shaykh Zia Ullah Khan

• So what is Love? – It’s a mixed of emotions. Something that you can’t see, it’s not tangible. It’s painful, beautiful, sweet but most of all, Love is unexplainable. It is something indescribable.
  
• People who are in love are insane. Love is an illness/sickness à the only cure is marriage i.e. to have the person and you can’t deny it, don’t try to be righteous in this matter.
  
• But the Question is: Is it halal for us to love that person? Love IS PERMISSIBLE in Islam cos it is not something you can control. It is something that Allah SWT put and plant in our hearts. The only thing Islam is asking of us is to control love, to handle it. One thing men should drill into their head is that: If a lady dislikes a guy, they just don’t love you. Women are full of compassion, yes, but they can be hard core cold-hearted when it comes to this. And this is the time you got to be a man. Find someone else or go down on your knees and say the syahadah.
• Most of the time, human face downfall when they fail/fall in this field. But when you have Allah & Islam in your heart, you will be able to pick yourself and regain you confidence, inshaAllah. Devote yourself to Him, to the Prophet (pbuh) and ask for forgiveness for having loved someone so much to the extent that you forget the meaning of the one true, sacred love – i.e. His Divine Love.
• Allah approves love. He created from yourselves wives, husbands (spouses), mawaddah (love), ar-Rahman(compassion/mercy), etc.
• What people misunderstand is that they fall in love and think that after getting married, it will be the likes of what’s displayed in the movies these days, believing it will be happily ever after but what happens a lot nowadays instead are arguments, that often lead to divorces/unhappy marriages. 
• We need to understand and acknowledge; women express feelings and men are dead. We (referring to male race) don’t know how to express feelings like women. That's just how God created us men and women different. Women express love much better than men, in most cases. Smile for your wife even if you don’t know why she’s happy. HE place love and compassion in you, make use of it well, at the right time, with the right people~!
• So what’s the problem then? It’s how we see it!

1. Unlettered Prophet (pbuh)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalamu 'alaykum & Greetings to all,

I'm currently reading a book on Islam & Christianity and would like to share some of its contents with my dear readers. Hopefully it's not too dry for you though, haha. Here goes the first to this series! =)

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Muhammad's experience in the cave of Hira, widely known as Jabal-an-Nur (The Mountain of Light), and his response to that first Revelation is the exact fulfillment of another Biblical prophecy. In the Book of Isaiah (Chp 29, verse 12): "and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, read this, I pray thee: and he said, I am not learned." [Here, the book refers to the Holy Al-Qur'an.]

(53:3-5) - No human had ever taught him a word. His teacher was his Creator - Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: he was taught by one mighty in power.

Without any human learning, 'he put to shame the wisdom of the learned'. [SubhanAllah~!!]

WAllahua'lam.

Bismillah.

How can there be something that seems so right on one end and so wrong on the other?

Rabbi yassir wa la tu'assir, meaning: O' my Lord, make things easier for me, do not make things difficult for me. [Du'a of the Prophet (pbuh)]

Never lose hope in Allah's (SWT) Mercy

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Ana's current favourite nasheed. Gives me such hope and peace+grace of God within my soul. Alhamdulillahi lathee bini matihee tatimmus salihaat. (All praises to Allah for all good things are perfected by Him)

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God always does things right,

His way is ALWAYS the best way,

even if to us it seems all wrong.

If you asked God for one thing and received another,

TRUST.

You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.

You will get it in times of your need, I did. =)

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"O' Allah, please forgive me and have mercy on me, always guide me and grant me sustenance."

(39:53) - Never lose hope in the mercy of Allah SWT.

                             

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"MOTHERS play a great role in building a generation. The better a mother is at raising her children, the more successfully the Ummah is built and the more successful it is at producing heroes. You hardly ever see a great man except that a great woman is behind him who left some of her traits in his personality by way of the milk which he was fed and the warm embrace in which he sought refuge." (Majallat al-Jihad'/36) - Women In Islam

Source: Muna bint Antar

WAllahua'lam.

>90% Muallafs are similar in many ways~!

Bismillah.

Every time I read a new revert's story, it's as if I'm reading my very own experience. There's a lot of similarities especially when it comes to the spiritual feeling and peace of God that we feel in this faith. The following is an excerpt from the story (linked below):

" I was pretending to feel it so others would think I was more religious than I was. Because I was honestly ashamed. I'd go to all of these Christian conferences and hear these incredible, heart-wrenching stories about people who were lost but had found the grace and peace of God, and I wanted SO desperately to have that. So I learned to raise my hands to the songs that were supposed to get that feeling, to cry when other people were when they felt the spirit of god. But there was no feeling, only action. 

I think thats how I know that Islam is right for me. Because when I read the Quran, or when I'm praying, or when I go to the masjid, it's like I finally get it. I finally have somewhere where I belong, where I feel at home. Now I'm the one who has that peace and grace of God. I hadn't felt that ever before.

Another thing that's really easy is always remembering Allah. Thats one of the things that i LOVE about Islam, is the constant focus on Allah. "

Link: 

http://www.facebook.com/notes/shefa-obaid/interview-newly-converted-to-islam-lauren-ward-shares-her-story/10150304919811808

How easy it is for us to forget..

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim - in the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

How easy it is for us,

To forget what it was like

When we were once family,

The times we shared.

How easy it is for us,

To forget How to love.

How easy it is for us,

To forget how to smile,

It's easy to forget.

BUT 

It's even harder,

... NOT to love,

Family is forever.

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And I quote, "CNY is always a time for reunion. Whatever differences we may have as a family, there's always a way to overcome them. So let's come together as one family during reunion dinner. After all, family is forever."

InshaAllah, there's always a way to overcome our differences. Amin, Amin yaRabbal al amin.

WAllahua'lam.

P/s: Cried watching this video, where the dad carried and helped his son. TT

Feel a burden? Don't fret. Instead..

Bismillah.

Have faith in Him~ Tawakkaltu 'Ala Allah =)

WAllahua'lam.

Am I a deceiver?

Astaghfirulla astaghfirulla astaghfirulla al adzim !!!

I am indeed a horrible and a terrible person.

Crying while praying to Allah used to be an effortless thing for me. But today, I was seated at my prayer mat for over 20 minutes yet I shed not half of my normal amount. Why is it so? Does this mean my heart is corrupted and being filled with diseases now? SubhanAllah, astagfirulla!! Please God, save me from going astray or from falling into the category of those people who say "I believe" but in their hearts, they do not. O' Lord, forgive me my sins and shortcomings. Give me strength to become a better Muslim by the day, not one with wavering Imaan.

************

And now, see (read) how the AQ clearly teaches us Muslims to be our best towards our parents? SubhanAllah.

BUT...


are we treating our parents right?

WAllahua'lam.

Bismillah.

"You might be married to the worst man on earth, like Asiah who married Pharoah, but it didn't change her goodness or her aqeedah. You might be married to the best man on earth, like Prophet Lut's wife, yet that doesn't mean you're going to Jannah with him. You might not be married at all, like our beloved Maryam (raa) yet Allah SWT places your status above all other women on earth. Have faith in Allah always and place your full trust in Him... He's the central focal point of our lives." - Heba El-Haddad


True that, but I am one who wishes to share her life with someone. And He IS the central focal point of my life, this is why I want to build a platform that centers around my beloved Allah SWT - by doing things the right way. May God grant my prayers and guide me. =)

1. Wanna be OR feel closer to ALLAH?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

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Wisdom  ||  Courage  ||  Temperance  ||  Justice

are the four most foundational virtues one should strive to attain! - Dr. Abdal Hakim Jackson

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Are you interested to bring yourself nearer to Him, our one and only Allah SWT? =)

If yes, here's a recipe to achieve that objective of yours, iAllah!

Spiritual Diet (The main highlight of this post):
1. Constant remembrance of God
2. Silence (i.e. observe and listen more)
3. Solitude (being isolated from everything. Just you, by yourself!)
4. Minimal food & Drink (~fasting)

This diet's aim is to help one to grow closer to the only ONE. And if you think about it, it does make a whole lot of sense! MashaAllah~!

- Imam Zaid Shakir

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The first step to form a relationship (halal) is to take our own deen seriously! - Imam Zaid Shakir

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WAllahua'lam.


P/s: Notes from Reviving Islamic Spirit Knowledge Retreat 2011 (RIS KR)

... hypocrite

Yes, I do feel like a hypocrite at times. And I know there are people out there who think of me that way too. I am sorry but I am not here to please everyone. I am here to please Allah SWT, and yes, I am fully aware that I am still far from that as well. But please know that I am trying. I am.

P/s: In life, one can't please everyone. What will that make of themselves, if everything is about ppl around them?