Virtues & WHAT TO DO - 1st Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Bismillah.

Assalamu'alaykum & Greetings to all,

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “There is no deed that is better in the sight of Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of Al-Adha”. It was asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for Jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari

THIS is indeed a late post. It should've obviously been uploaded BEFORE dhul hijjah! But still, I'm just telling myself it's better late than never. So just in case anyone come across this, in sha Allah, there's still 8 more of these blessed days.

People are just very busy these days astaghfirulla and the days just past us in a blink of an eye subhanAllah! *guilty myself* (Sidenote: This is actually also a sign of the end of the Day approaching. May Allah have mercy upon us and that we never delay in preparing for Afterlife.)

This post is just a quick burst of suggestions on what deeds/actions to perform during these 10 blessed days.

The MAIN IDEA is to INCREASE IN GOOD DEEDS:

FASTING - Abu Hurayra narrated: "Allah said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting which is done for Me, and I will reward him for it. (Sahih Bukhari)

     Option 1: Fast all 1-9 Dhul Hijjah
     Option 2: Fast as many days as you are capable amongst the 9 days; including 9th Dhul Hijjah
     Option 3: Fast only on the day of Arafa i.e. 9th of Dhul Hijjah

Read/recite the Qur'an

Sadaqa - Do it in secret if you can. Here's an easy one. Join this challenge! =)

Dhkr - Tasbeeh (SubhanAllah), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah), Tahleel (Laillahailallah), Takbeer (AllahuAkbar)

Sunnah prayers

General good deeds

REMEMBER, these 10 days are as special as the last ten nights of Ramadan so treat these 10 days as importantly. May He strengthen us in worship and that He accept our deeds.

WAllahua'lam

For those interested in knowing more, you may find a lengthy and more detailed post here.

Ramadhan's over. What's next? Free Islamic online course and 6 Days of Syawwal fasting

Bismillah.

Before I forget, Seekers Hub is open for registration now and it closes in 8 days. Hurry go register. Take this opportunity especially for full-time working people as this is ideal for us since we can follow the course at our own pace, from home, anywhere! It's free and highly credible too. Of course, donation is always welcomed. Remember, charity does not make us any less richer. It's actually increasing our akherah's savings account!

So belated Eid Moubarak to all who observes it! So yeah, Ramadan has left us and time definitely flew by! Let's make du'aa that we be given the chance to experience another Ramadan and also to keep up with our good habits which we have been at for the past month. 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, Allah.

May Allah (SWT) accept all our du'aas (prayers) and other ibadah (acts of worship) during the holy month of Ramadan. 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-2011) 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:

Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah).

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

Just a general guideline: You don't necessarily have to fast for 6 consecutive days although that is the most recommended i.e. 6 days starting 2nd of Syawwal. However, as long as you complete these 6 days of fasting in the month of Syawwal, it still gives us the rewards a year of fasting.

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

WAllahua'lam (Allah knows best).

The first night of marriage as advised by Prophet Muhammad SAW.

BISMILLAH.

Salam alaykum wbt and hi all,

I pray we are all in our highest of Imaan at all times and amongst those blessed by Allah SWT.

So I watched this while having my late breakfast/brunch today, alhamdulillah. A good and beneficial entertainment in my opinion. All praise to Allah SWT.

Love it when I heard the following and many other points too, which I'm not going to list down.

- There is no age limit as long as you can do it, spreading spirit of fun at home. Halal fun is an act of worship.

- Feeding food into your wife's mouth is charity. What could be better than having to do something you love and enjoy as a means of getting rewarded by Allah for it?

MASHAALLAH. ONLY ISLAM, only this religion has such a fine concept. I thank Allah for this religion.

May we all benefit from this.

WAllahu'alam.

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.

10th day of Muharram (Yaum 'Ashura)

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

Assalamu 'alaykum w.b.t. and Greetings to all,

Today I discovered the existence of the day of 'Ashura. The virtues of fasting on this day is pretty similar with the virtues of Arafat fasting, but instead of expiating 2 years worth of sin it expiates just a year's worth of sin that is the year before. (The following is a brief description regarding 'Ashura - since I'm fully aware many don't have much time on hand, hence I tried to make it as short as possible and this is the best I could summarise. It would take <5 minutes to read this.)

So what is this day?

This is a righteous day, commemorating the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies (Pharaoh, in Egypt), so Prophet Musa fasted on this day. [Muslim and al-Bukhari]

The practise of fasting on 'Ashura was known even in the days of Jahiliyyah and the people of Jahiliyyah was fasting 'Ashura.

When is 'Ashura?


It is said to be on the 10th day of Muharram. [Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib and al-Hassan]

The Messenger of Alllah (pbuh), commanded us to fast 'Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. [al-Tirmidhi, graded as sahih hasan hadith]

However, due to circumstances, scholars say you may choose to fast 'Ashura in the following choices i.e.:

• 3 days (9th, 10th, 11th); 
• 2 days (9th,10th); or 
• 1 day only (the 10th).

Ruling on fasting only on the day of 'Ashura


Shaykh ul-Islam said, "Fasting on the day of 'Ashura is an expiation for a year, and it is not makruh to fast only on that day..." [al-Fatwa al-Kubra]

There is nothing wrong with fasting only on 'Ashura. [Ibn Hajar al-Haytami]

For what does it offer expiation?

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Fasting 'Ashura is of great merits, I hope Allah will accept it as an expiation for sins committed in the previous year." [Muslim, 1976] -- However, it is a huge mistake to rely on fasting a single day to wipe your slate clean i.e. meaning to say, it is not right to think it's okay to commit sin as you are aiming to fast 'Ashura and Arafat. If this is how you function, fasting 'Ashura alone will not atone your sins because:

It expiates for all minor sins i.e. it brings forgiveness for all sins except major sins. [Imam an-Nawawi]

Wallahua'lam.

References: 1 & 2

P/s: This post takes you <5 minutes to read but it took me so much more time to produce this summary, trust me. (but at least now I know it like the back of my hand.. alhamdulillah)

9th day of Dhul-Hijjah (Yaum Arafat)

P/s: Please take note this was posted a year ago. Re-posting it now as a reminder to all including myself.

Bismillahirrahman- irrahim.


Ana just found out about the goodness of fasting on the 9th day of the month of hajj aka zul hijja/dhul-hijjah. It is mentioned that fasting on this particular day expiates 2 years worth of sins; the previous and the coming year. =) Hence, this fasting is mustahabb (recommended in arabic) for us who are not performing pilgrimage in Makkah; and for those who are on hajj are not encouraged/forbaded to fast on this day because the prophet (peace be upon him) did not practice fasting on the day of Arafat during pilgrimage.


and the following is a copy paste from http://www.islaam.net which ana would like to share with all brothers and sisters -->


The month of Dhul-Hijjah is a season of worship, and seasons of worship bring along blessings, benefits and opportunities to correct one's faith and make up for shortcoming. Every one of these special opportunities involves some kind of worship, which brings the slave closer to his Lord. And Allâh bestows His blessings and Favours on whom He wills. The fortunate person is he who makes good use of these special months, days, and hours, while worshiping Allâh. He is most likely to be touched by the blessings of Allâh. [Ibn Rajab, al-Latâ'if pp. 8]

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are marked blessed for both, the pilgrims and the non-pilgrims. Rewards of good deeds are multiplied in these days. Imâm Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) (d. 751H) said:

“Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allâh. It has been confirmed in Sahîh al-Bukharî from Ibn Abbas (radhi Allâhu anhu) that the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “No deed are more virtuous than deeds on these days.”  The companions asked: 'Not even Jihad (fighting in Allâh's Cause)?' He (sallAllâhu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allâh, unless a man goes out risking himself and his wealth for the sake of Allâh, and does not come back with anything.”  [Sahîh al-Bukharî vol: 2, no: 457] And it is these ten days, of which Allâh takes an oath saying: “By the dawn; by the ten nights. [Sûrah al-Fajr (89): 1-2] This is why it is recommended to increase in making Takbîr, Tahlil and Tamhid during these days.” [Zâd al-Ma'âd vol: 1, pp: 56]

Yaum al-Arafat:

The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat. It is this day when the pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafat, praying and supplicating to their Lord. The day of Arafat holds great importance in Islam since this is the Day when Allâh completed his revelation on His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh-peace be upon him).

Wallahua'lam.

What's YOUR nightly routine?

Bismillah.

Assalam & Greetings!

Do YOU have a nightly routine before going to sleep? If you still haven't come up with one or started practising any, here's a very feasible suggestion~! It takes at most 10 minutes to do it. (and I testify this bit of information. Also, this goes to say that it is very very practical even for overly intense busy students or working people, inshaAllah~!)

Please refer to footnotes for those with asterisks *

And here's the magic recipe:

al ikhlas

al falaq

an nas

ayat kursi (*)

last 10 verses of ali imran (3rd surah)

and then subhanAllah 33x, alhamdulillah 33x, & Allahu akbar 34x

GREAT OPTIONAL ADD-ONS:

- last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah i.e. 285 and 286 (**)

- recite al- ikhlas 10 times in the morning and evening (***)

P/s: For those who think this is too much or sort of overwhelming, I guess just reciting the last 2 verses of 2nd Surah suffice since that is what's mentioned. See (**). (But try this out before concluding it's difficult. Hmm, if it makes you feel any better; I can do it, so trust me, everyone else can too, iA.)

WAllahua'lam.

Source: Fortress of the Muslim (Invocations from the Qur'an & Sunnah)

subhanAllah, looks amazingly beautiful~! =)

The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.

(*) Al-Baqarah verse 255. Whoever reads this when he lies down to sleep will have a guardian from Allah remain w him and Satan will not be able to come near him until he rises in the morn. (Al-Bukhari)

(**) These 2 verses will be sufficient for anyone who recites them at night before sleeping. (Al-Bukhari)

(***) The Prophet (SAW) said: Who recites blessings upon me 10x in the morn and 10x in the evening will obtain my intercession on the Day of Resurrection. (At-Tabarani)

Six White Days~

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

Salam and greetings to all,

I know Syawal's coming to an end but I've been delaying on posting bout this. Thought I could find a time to write in detail bout this. I wish I can turn back time at least there's more time left for those who read this blog to prepare to complete this sunnah.

I don't actually have the time to write bout it myself so here's a link for more detailed information regarding this six white days aka Puasa 6 ! Aseef jiddan !

please click me or me.

The rewards/pahala for fasting this 6 days (in the month of Syawal) is equivalent to the rewards of a person fasting one year~! 

SO GRAB THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW !

WAllahua'lam.

PART 3/3: "JOM MENDALAMI ISTIGHFAR" ~~

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

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wa barakatuh and greetings I bid to all,

Thank God for the clear heart and mind that I have now. I guess it's thanks to the 'khusyuk' (engrossed) prayer I performed earlier and to the prayers' by ana's friends of course. Thank you thank you! Alhamdulillahi lathee bini matihi tatimmus salihaat (praise is to Allah Who by His Blessings all good things are perfected).

Ok, we'll continue the last section of our discussion on Istighfar topic (i.e., if there's anyone following. haha). Anyway, antara ketiga2 topik, ana paling suka dan enjoy yang ni. ah, ni'mat~! =)

3. Faedah-faedah Istighfar

Faedah2 istighfar ni banyak sekali. Ana tak senaraikan semua sebab memang impossible to do that. Antara faedah yang ana ingin utarakan ialah:

PART 2/3: "JOM MENDALAMI ISTIGHFAR" ~~

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

Salam alaik and greetings to all,

Before anything else, I'm going to remind us all to not forget to always be grateful~! Grateful to God and give thanks to Him in your prayers and as a matter of fact, even outside prayers~! Just be sure to make this a habit of yours, thank Him on a daily basis, and He will remember you too~! Allah's so sweet right? His conditions are simple, it's just that many of us take things for granted. One musn't forget that all ni'mat comes from Him and it belongs to Him~! Ok, dah cukup peringatan buat hari ini. Jom, kita start topik nombor 2~ =D

PART 1/3: JOM MENDALAMI PEMAHAMAN ISTIGHFAR~ =)

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

Assalamualaikum warahmatullah wa barakatuh dan salam sejahtera saya ucapkan kepada para pembaca yang mulia lagi dikasihi,

Moga semua dalam keadaan sihat wal afiat dan janganlah lupa untuk sentiasa mengingatiNya.

Hari ini, ana ingin berkongsi sedikit ilmu dengan semua. Beberapa hari yang lalu, ana baru habis baca buku berjudul "Hikmah Terapi Istighfar" dan sepanjang membacanya, ana ada ambil nota-nota untuk dikongsi bersama ikhwah wa akhawat. Tapi, banyak juga yang ingin dibicarakan jadi ana bahagikan kepada 3 post, each post will address its own topic. Basically, it's going to be sort of a "series of learning and exploration with Liana" cos I know majority don't have the time to read long posts, hence the division~! Haha~!

Manusia, Tahajud, & Subuh~

Bismillah.

Sila klik di sini.

Enjoy reading dan sila jangan lupa apply tau~ ! Jangan kita biarkan tahajud menangis lagi. inshaAllah. (juga peringatan buat diri sendiri)

Wslm

What is Salat ISTIKHARAH?~

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

Salam alaik and greetings to all readers,

First and foremost, let's give thanks to God (Allah) for the good health and ni'mat given unto us. Alhamdulillah~ =))

Alright~! So, today ana would like to share some general information on the salat istikharah prayer, which is one of the many sunnah prayers(customary prayers) there are. Ok, the rest is going to be pretty much manglish i.e. malay+english. Lol. Peace~~

SO WHAT IS SALAT ISTIKHARAH and WHO'S TO PERFORM IT?~


Ok, istikharah ni ramai sangatlah orang yang salah faham dan fikir ia hanya dilakukan apabila time bingung dan confused dalam memilih jodoh (untuk perkahwinan) tp ACTUALLY, IT HAS A BROADER MEANING & COVERAGE. It's in fact designed for those people that have hajat or cita2 untuk berbuat sesuatu perkara/pekerjaan tetapi mereka ni ragu2 dlm pekerjaan atau maksud perkara itu (say for example: nak buat major course ni ke ni? patut terima biasiswa ni ke loan ni ke? patut amik kerja ni ke yang tu? patut ke aku kahwin dia ke this is a big mistake? and etc.), whether it's wise or not to go on with it, and hence, it is suggested that in order for you to be able to choose whether to go on with that something or decide that it is not good for you, is to perform salat istikharah sebanyak 2 rakaat. Perkara ini dilanjurkan sendiri oleh Rasulullah (pbuh) dlm sabdanya yg bermaksud: apbl seseorang hendak melakukan sesuatu, hendaklah dia rukuk dgn 2 rukuk(smbhyg 2 rakaat) selain drpd sembahyang fardhu.

SO HOW TO PERFORM THIS SUNNAH PRAYER?~


Ok, ada 2 cara untuk melaksanakan smbhyg sunat istikharah ini iaitu
1) 2 rakaat + 1 salam
2) 12 rakaat + 6 salam
Ana x elaborate secara detail on this part tapi ana nak highlight sesuatu yg penting i.e. bila nak memulakan solat ini, hendaklah kita kuruskan hati ini. Macam mana? Dengan menyerahkan segala2 urusan SEPENUHNYA kepada Allah SWT~! Rehatkan dan lapangkan akal fikiran anda drpd memikirkan/menimbangkan sama ada perkara tersebut elok dibuat atau tidak. hah, kita serahkan sahaja kepadaNya. percayalah Allah. =)

WHAT'S THE HIKMAH BEHIND THIS SALAT?~

Ok, bagi golongan orang2 yg beriman:

1) cara ini menunjukkan dan menandakan bahawa mereka itu kembali kepada Tuhan mereka. =)

2) ia dapat menghilangkan segala keresahan atau kebingungan kita dalam menentukan pilihan yang betul dan tepat. Dengan mengosongkan fikiran dan hati serta menyerahkan segala urusan kepada Allah, kita akan diberi pilihan yang terbaik untuk diri dan agama. InshaALLAH~~

3) kita tidak akan menyalahkan diri sendiri jika berlaku sesuatu yang tidak baik as a consequence atau outcome of the decision that we take because we are confident that that is what Allah has fixed for us. Kita yakin bahawa itulah yang dikehendaki Allah yang pasti mempunyai banyak hikmah, kalau tidak di dunya pun, di akhirat nanti. inshaAllah~~

4) melaksanakan salat ini juga menandakan keikhlasan seseorang hamba terhadap Tuhannya~! Dgn melakukan sembhyg ini, dia meniadakan kehendak peribadinya dan menyerahkan diri dan semua urusannya kepada Allah SWT. =)

AFTER PERFORMING IT, HOW TO KNOW GOD'S ANSWERS?~

Ok, jawapan daripada Allah sama ada perkara itu elok atau tidak elok untuk diteruskan itu akan didatangkan kepada kita dengan:

1) rasa hati/gerak hati, iaitu hati itu merasakan keinginan yang kuat untuk melakukan perkara itu atau tidak

2) dengan mimpi

3) atau dengan deipermudahkan jalannya bagi sesuatu perkara itu untuk berlaku ataupun sebaliknya (i.e. macam banyak je perhalangan apabila anda meneruskan dgn hajat/cita2 tersebut..)

TETAPI, AH PAUSE SEKEJAP, TETAPI SEMUA INI DGN SYARATNYA, iaitu sebelum melakukan sunat Istikharah ini, janganlah kita menyimpan kecenderungan hendak kita sendiri mengikut pertimbangan akal fikiran, TETAPI HENDAKLAH MENGOSONGKAN HATI, AKAL, & KEPALA dan serahkan urusan itu sepenuhnya secara total kepada Allah SWT.

ADDITIONAL NOTES~~

1) Kalau kita ikut kebiasaan, orang ramai mengerjakan solat sunat Istikharah ini selama 3 malam berturut-turut atau lebih baik sehingga 7 malam di samping meletakkan sepenuh keyakinan kepada Allah. Maka dengan itu, laksanakanlah dengan yakin perkara yang dirasakan kuat di dalam hati setelah selesai solat bermalam2 secara berturut2.

Ini adalah berdasarkan sepotong hadith Nabi Muhammad(pbuh):

"Apabila kamu bercita2 untuk mengerjakan sesuatu, maka hendaklah kamu meminta(sembahyang Istikharah) drpd Allah sebanyak tujuh kali. Selepas itu, lihatlaha apa yang digerakkan pada hati oleh Allah dan mendahulukan hal itu, kerana sesungguhnya kebaikan itu ada pada yang didahulukan."

2) Ok, ana jg ada doa simple yang boleh digunakan sebagai reference untuk doa bila buat sunat Istikharah ini:

"YaAllah yaRabbi, hamba penuh dengan dosa2 dan kesalahan, ampunilah hambaMu yaAllah, rahmatilah hamabMu. YaAllah yaRabbi, tunjukkanlah yang terbaik bagi hamba, pilihkanlah yang terbaik bagi hamba YaAllah kerna sebaik2 rencana/rancangan, tetap rencanaMu yang terbaik. Amin yaRabbilalamin~"

WAllahua'lam bis sawab~

Liana.

Eating prayers~

Bismillah.

Today, ana went out to have some lunch with a good friend.

WARNING! : Don't forget, before you put that food into your mouth, please do read your eating prayers! or if you don't remember it, at least, please say "Bismillah". =)

Eating prayer - Allahumma bareeq lanaa fima razaaqtana wakeena azaa banaar


(aseef, ana not so sure of the spelling but that's how it sounds like. and it's really easy you know. maybe at first, it seems so long, just like it was for me the first few times ana started practising reading this prayer everytime before ana eat and alhamdulillah, 9/10 times ana remember to say it. but after one week, wah, you can say it easily. just like snapping your fingers!)


or an alternative is - Bisimillahi wa 'ala baraka-tillah (Hah, so short this one! No more complains OK?!!)
which translates to - With Allah's name and upon the blessings granted by Allah, do we eat. 


There's also prayer after your meals: Alhamduillahi lathee at amana wa saquana waja 'alana minal Muslimin.
Translation: All praise to Allah who gave us food and drink and who made us Muslims. =)

dessert time!! yummylicious~~ not exorbitant like in Malaysia

One thing ana dislike bout this country is the high tax charges. So sad, ana always paying for tax, which hinders me from giving them good tips sometimes. hmm..

Anyway, we walked a bit in the mall and here's a pretty nice fountain!~ Get to de-stress a bit from the hectic weekdays. Alhamdulillah..

All right, that's all and here's a picture=)

REMINDER!: Everyday, don't forget to give thanks to Allah (make this a kewajipan) in EVERY SOLAT (prayer) ! Many people forget to do that. It's such a simple thing, saying thank you i.e.. I mean, Allah gets a lot of prayers mentioning their hopes from Him, what they want to achieve, what they need, and so on, but only a handful remember to also include a simple "Thank you Allah for all that you've done for me". Do this in your sujud alright ikhwah and akhawat? x susah pun.. =)

WAllahua'lam

Fortress of the Muslim~

Assalamu alaykum w.b.t..


Surely all praise is for Allah. We praise Him and seek His help. We seek His forgiveness and we seek refuge in Him from the evil of our own souls and from the wickedness of our deeds. Whomever He guides shall never go astray, and whomever He allows to stray shall never find guidance.

INVOCATIONS FROM THE QUR'AN AND SUNNAH

Here I would like to share a few of the many invocations there are. These are most of the invocations that I try to practise in my daily routine. May those who read this benefit from it by practising it. =)

1. When surprised/startled: Subhaanallaah! (Glory is to Allah) or Allahu 'Akbar! (Allah is the Most Great)

2. For if you are stricken by in your faith: Say: I seek refuge in Allah (then you should desist from doing what you are in doubt about.) also say: 'Aamantu billaahi wa Rusulihi. -I believe in Allah and His Messenger-

3. When you find something becoming difficult for you: Say: Allaahumma laa sahla 'illa maa ja'altahu sahlan wa 'Anta taj'alul-hazna 'ithaa shi'ta sahlan. -O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please, You ease my sorrow.

4. What to say when you feel pain in your body: Put your hand on the place where you feel pain and say: Bismillaah three times. then say: 'Aoothu billaahi wa qudratihi min sharri maa 'ajidu wa 'uhaathiru.

-I seek refuge in Allah and in His Power from the evil of what I find and of what I guard against.-

5. Before eating: say Bismillah. (With the Name of Allah) or if you remember, add: Allaahumma baarik lanaa, fima razaaqtanaa, wakina azaab banaar. Amin.

6. Sneezing: when you sneeze, you should say Alhamdulillah(All praises and thanks are to Allah) and your friend should say: Yarhamukallah (May Allah have mercy upon you). Then, when someone says yarhamukallaah to you, you should respond with: Yahdeekumul-laahu wa yuslihu baalakum(May Allah guide you and set your affairs in order)

7. Anger! recite: 'A oothu billahi minash-Shaytaanir-rajeem. 

-I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast-

8. For someone who does good to you: You tell that person: Jazaakallaahu khayran

-May Allah reward you with goods and blessings-

9. When someone tells you: "I love you for the sake of Allah": You should respond with: 'Ahabbakal-lathee 'ahbabtanee lahu

-May He for Whose sake you love me, love you.-

10. When someone tells you: "May Allah bless you". tell him Wa feeka baarakallaahu. (and may Allah bless you)

11. For when something you dislike happens, or for when you fail to achieve what you attempt to do: 

Qadarullaahi wa maa shaa'a fa'ala. 

-It is the Decree fo Allah and He does whatever He wills.-

12. When something pleasing happens: "Alhamdulillahil-lathee bini'matihi tatimmus-saalihaat

-Praise is to Allah Who by His blessings all good things are perfected.-

When something happened that displeases you: "Alhamdulillahi 'alaa kulli haal

-Praise to Allah in all circumstances!- 

13. For someone you've spoken ill to: Allahumma fa'ayuyumaa mu'minin sababtuhu faj'al thaalika lahu qurbatan 'ilayka yawmal-qiyaaamati.

-O Allah, whomever of the believers I have abused, give him the reward of a sacrificial slaughter for it on the Day of Resurrection-

14. Traveler's invocation for the one he leaves behind: 'Astawdi'ukumul-laahal-lathee laa tadhee'u wadaa'iuhu

-I leave you in the care of Allah as nothing is lost that is in His care-

15. What to say before sleeping: (Cup your palms together and blow gently into your hands.) Then, recite Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul Huwallaahu 'Ahad, Allaahus-Samad, Lam yalid wa lam yulaad, Wa lam yakun lahu qufuwan 'ahad.

-With the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. Say: He is the One, The Self-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need, He begets not nor was He begotten, and none is equal to Him.

Well, this is about it what I am able to share this time around. I'm sorry if there are any typos because this is not a copy paste from any other site. I wrote and typed everything; and yes, of course I used a book as my reference^_^

I will do my best to practise what I preach in order to become a better Muslimah. =)

May Allah watch over all of us and guide us in His path with His Light & Hidayah! Amin!

MAA' SALAMA WA ILAL LIQA'

Salam,

Liana