12.16.09
C is for challenge
Rasulullah saw and his companions who’re in Mecca had put a great effort in inviting many people to become Muslim by heart, action and speech.
Ja’far and some other Muslims migrated to Abyssinia for the good of the deen and its followers.
Mus’ab Umayr was sent to Medina to become an ambassador for Muslim, teaching and propagating about Islam after the Treaty of ‘Aqabah. The city of Medina then shone with the noor of Islam.
Mecca
Abyssinia
Medina
They’re in different places, but they all had one thing in common: the challenges that they faced in the respective places.
We go to a place, we face the challenges.
We move to another place, we’ll still meet the challenges
So just face the challenges wisely (with the help of Allah and people around) because the challenges are inevitable in our life.
Allahua’lam
12.09.09
a kite
Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against; not with; the wind.
Hamilton Wright Mabie – American writer (1845-1916)
Layang-layang yang melawan arus angin akhirnya akan terbang tinggi
Manusia yang mampu melawan kebiasaan (kebiasaan manusia lain yang tidak menurut peraturan Allah atau kebiasaan hawa nafsu) akan mampu untuk berjaya (berjaya dunia, berjaya akhirat, merasai nikmat kemanisan iman, mendapat keredhaan Allah swt, meraih syurgaNya yang sangat bernilai)
….Layang layang, padanya ada ‘ibrah (pengajaran) bagi mereka yang berakal
wallahua’lam
sharing is caring
Belajarlah menyalahkan diri sendiri
Retrieved from here
Berkata al-Muzanni: Apabila engkau melihat wujud kekeringan cinta dalam diri sahabatmu terhadapmu, demikian itu kerana dosa yang engkau lakukan, maka cepat-cepatlah bertaubat kepada Allah.
Itulah adab ukhuwwah, apabila berlaku kekeringan dalam hubungan setelah ia diikat atas ikatan akidah dan perjuang, ketahuilah, kesalahan pertama adalah pada diri anda sebelum sahabat anda.
Mukmin yang terbaik ialah yang sering memuhasabah dirinya sebelum orang lain. Menyalahkan dirinya sebebelum menyalahkan orang lain.
Al-Quran juga mengajar Muslim supaya menyalahkan diri sendiri terlebih dahulu sebelum menyalahkan orang lain atas musibah yang menimpa dirinya. Bukan salah takdir tetapi kecuaian diri yang menyebabkan semua itu berlaku.
Firman Allah SWT: “Dan apa saja musibah yang menimpa kamu maka adalah disebabkan oleh perbuatan tanganmu sendiri, dan Allah memaafkan sebagian besar (dari kesalahan-kesalahanmu).”
Menuding jari ke arah diri sendiri membuka ruang yang merdeka untuk memuhasabah diri. Muhasabah diri yang betul mampu menjadi asas plan tindakan memperbaiki diri dan mengangkat kualitinya menuju redha Ilahi.
Ada sahabat yang sanggup memutuskan hubungan hanya kerana sahabatnya menegur dan memberi nasihat. Padahal apa yang dilakukan oleh sahabatnya itu merupakan tanda kasih sayang dan berpegang dengan amanah persahabatan. Kawan terbaik bukanlah yang mulutnya sentiasa menyanyikan lagu pujian. Kawan terbaik ialah yang sentiasa berusaha untuk memperbaiki sahabatnya. Sanggup menegur kelemahannya dan berkongsi kegembiraannya. Sahabat begini sebenarnya telah melaksanakan perintah Rasulullah SAW yang mengatakan: Agama itu adalah nasihat.
Pahit macamana pun teguran dan nasihat dari seorang sahabat yang telah terbukti kejujurannya selama bertahun-tahun, kunyahlah ia sampai lumat dan tapislah patinya dengan sempurna dan jangan sesekali dibuang kecuali terbukti mudharatnya.
Bersikap memencil diri hanya kerana ditegur, tandanya tidak sempurna hak ukhuwwah kita tunaikan. Kita ‘berdada sempit’. Sepatutnya kita panjatkan jutaan syukur kepada sahabat kita kerana di zaman orang ramai lebih tertumpu kepada sesuatu yang mendatangkan pulangan pada diri sendiri, masih ada yang sanggup peduli kelemahan kita. Itu tandanya ia sayang pada kita, ingin melihat kebahagiaan kita, ingin kita hidup sempurna. Kalau bukan tujuan itu, sudah pasti ia biarkan kita hanyut dalam kepalsuan hidup tanpa teman pembimbing.
Namun andainya kita masih tidak pandai menyalahkan diri dan beranggapan semua yang di sekeliling kita salah, tunggulah harinya kita ditinggalkan bersendirian. Hati-hati waktu itu melayarkan bahtera hidup, takut tenggelam setelah diberi nasihat dan peringatan. Waktu itu jangan marah kalau ada suara dari langit berkata: Padan muka, aku sudah cakap semua tu dahulu!!!
12.07.09
ilmu ikhlas
Pada hal mereka tidak diperintahkan melainkan supaya menyembah Allah dengan mengikhlaskan ibadat kepadaNya, lagi tetap teguh di atas tauhid; Oleh itu, sesiapa yang percaya dan berharap akan pertemuan dengan Tuhannya, hendaklah ia mengerjakan amal yang soleh dan janganlah ia mempersekutukan sesiapapun dalam ibadatnya kepada Tuhannya
(al kahfi:101)
Pada hal mereka tidak diperintahkan melainkan supaya menyembah Allah dengan mengikhlaskan ibadat kepadaNya, lagi tetap teguh di atas tauhid; dan supaya mereka mendirikan sembahyang serta memberi zakat. Dan yang demikian itulah agama yang benar.
(al bayyinah:5)
12.06.09
bicycle
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” -Albert Einstein
Jatuh atau sesat mungkin masih lagi baik berbanding kalau terus berhenti mengayuh.
Kalau terus berhenti, basikal lama-lama akan rosak dan usang
Kalau takut sesat boleh beli direktori untuk tengok arah jalan atau boleh tanya orang yang tahu jalan
Kalau jatuh sebab kemalangan, kita boleh pergi klinik, hospital atau buat rawatan sendiri
Jadi, teruskan kayuhan
Biar perlahan atau laju (jangan perlahan sangat, jangan laju sangat)
Tapi kalau dah berhenti pun sebenarnya, boleh gerak / kayuh kembali.
Allahua’lam
11.29.09
program semai mesra (PSM) 2010
Semai Mesra langkah bermula,
Langkah bermula mengejar cita,
Mengejar cita mencari cinta
Mencari cinta, kasih Yang Esa.
In the Name of Allah swt, the most Gracious the Most Benevolent.
Brothers and sisters, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) is presenting to you a pre-departure program for students who are flying off to Australia and New Zealand in 2010. This is an opportunity to meet up with a lot of smart, diligent and efficient Muslim students and workers from all fields and areas who are studying and have studied over there.
I attended PSM in 2007 and still remember the activities that were organized in the program. The reminders (tazkirah) presented by two beloved sisters regarding to a hadeeth of ‘intention’ and the story of ‘battle of Mu’tah’ have deeply touched my heart, Subhanallah. There was also a slot from a great speaker who talked about three important things a traveler should do: look for good friends, do istikharah prayers and have a good and clear intention before going. Besides from sharing sessions, the outdoor activities were also fun and exciting.
Not to say that I have a good memory but I want to show how significant and effective the program was to me. The cordiality of the facilitators was also wonderful and make my days truly worthwhile. Thus I recommend everyone to register and join us in the one and only Program Semai Mesra (PSM) 2010. I might or might not be there; but my presence is not as important as yours =) Great and nice people are waiting for you all.Insha Allah
SEMAI MESRA 2010: Langkah bermula – Please spread the news around!
Be there or be square.
Wallahua’lam
11.28.09
Emotional Quotient (EQ)
I would like to emulate our prophets Ishmael and Abraham ‘alaihumassalam who have an excellent level of emotional quotient (EQ), the ability to understand emotions of one’s self and others as well as to act appropriately based on this understanding.
When Abraham a.s told his son Ishmael about his dream, Ishmael a.s with no hesitation replied, “Ya Abati, do as you are commanded, Insha Allah you will find me as one of the steadfast”.
There was neither cry nor tears from both of them. The words used to address one another which are “Ya bunayya”: “O my dear son” and “Ya abati”: “O my father” really please our ears. Subhanallah.
As a father, Abraham a.s might feel sad and he knew his son might share the same feeling. Thus he cautiously conveyed his message and began it off by giving a hint that ‘This is a command from Allah my dear son’ when he said “I have seen in the dream that…”
Even though he knew that his son would agree with his command, he still gave a room for Ishmael a.s to think about it therefore ended his speech by asking “What say you son?”
Ishmael a.s also managed to control his feeling, asked his father to proceed with his plan and not forgotten to comfort him by saying “You will find me as one of the steadfast”.
It is important to have a healthy EQ for a happy and successful life. It helps us to relate and communicate with others well. It also helps us to make decision in our life. The key words from the definition of EQ I wrote in the beginning are ‘understand’ and ‘act appropriately’. Therefore in whatever situation let’s try to understand ourselves and others before we take any actions. Don’t forget to consult with others if we’re bewildered with the situation.
Basically this is only my humble interpretation and view on what I learnt from the verses and the story. May it benefit everyone Insha Allah.
Wallahua’lam
Allahuakbar Allahuakbar Allahuakbar wa lillahil hamd.
Eid Mubarak. Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum
Then when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: “O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: now see what is thy view!” (The son) said: “O my father! do as thou art commanded: thou will find me if Allah so wills one practicing Patience and Constancy!” So when they had both submitted (to Allah), and He had laid Him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice). We called out to him “O Abraham!. “Thou hast already fulfilled the dream!”― thus indeed do We reward those who do right. For this was obviously a trial― And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: “Peace and salutation to Abraham!” (37: 102- 109)
11.26.09
Five and a half
Alhamdulillah yesterday was my final day in college. Very soon I will officially become a teacher, the most awaited moment for us I should say. I have been in the training since June two zero zero four. Many of my friends have started working or furthering their study in Master and PhD at local and overseas universities. I have just finished the course; what a long journey! I never regret though as the route I chose have been filled up with great lessons and memories which words can never describe. And the five and a half years learning will not stop here. Lifelong learning is highlighted in the National Philosophy of Education; words of honour that every Malaysian teacher should remember. The pedagogy and educational policy will always be revised. Thus the onus is on teachers to keep abreast with the changes in the system for the good of students and society.
This also applies when we learn and study the religion. It must be continuous. It is not only a task for an ustaz, Imam or al-hafiz. It is an obligation for every Muslim and Muslimah. Perhaps not to the extent of becoming a mufti (if we’re capable of this, it will be great), but at least we know our purpose of life and we understand the true concept of our deen. Learning about our deen makes us realize on how a Muslim lifestyle should be. We have our manual as a source of reference (the quran and sunnah) and our role model (the beloved prophet saw and his companions). This dunya always makes us become confused. What is ‘cool’ and what is not is determined by people around. Are we still becoming slave to human after we have a long prostration (only if it is long) five times a day to our Master? Thus it is very crucial to be reminded constantly by people around us for a safe and secured life in this world and hereafter.
The prophet’s companions always looked forward to learn about this deen even though their level of iman is supremely excellent. They always gathered and reminded each other about Islam. They came to the prophet and to his wife, Aishah r.a. to deepen their understanding of the teaching of Islam. In one hadeeth Jibril came to the prophet to teach about Islam, Iman and Ihsan. The companions at that time were sitting with the prophet.
Muaz bin Jabal who is knowledgeable in Halaal (lawful) and Haraam (forbidden) matters once said, ‘Ijlis bina wa nukmin sa’ah’ which means (more or less) ‘Let’s sit for a while and remember Allah for benefits of our iman’. How great he is Masya Allah. While we are busy discussing where to shop and what to cook these people maximizes their time to increase their taqwa.
Allah swt said: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”: at- taubah. This verse reminds us to get together with people who are pious and righteous as they will help us to rejuvenate our souls and iman.
This post I dedicate to anyone who is going back for good to Malaysia and myself who will start working on the fourth of January, two zero one zero Insha Allah. May He make us remain steadfast on this less traveled road. Our status will change but our role in this world will stay the same, ‘abidullah and khalifatullah.
Dakwah and tarbiyah: Once start, never stop. Insha Allah.
And the sky is the limit. Allahu akbar!
Wallahua’lam
11.24.09
forgetful
Often we feel hopeless when we fail to remember where we put our things, documents, clothes, books, money and others. Some can’t even forgive themselves when this comes to the very important matters (something like misplacing KISSM notes for tomorrow’s exam or forgetting our sister’s birthday). In my personal view, absentmindedness is a blessing. This is because it is a medium to educate ourselves and people around us. We train people who are dealing with us to become more patient and tolerant with one another. As for ourselves, we realize that nobody in this world is perfect; we are prone to the imperfection, and we learn to apologize and talk nicely to people whom we are dealing with.
In a certain extent, being forgetful is very beneficial to everyone. Life will be very tough if we could not delete all the facts, information, stories and every single thing stored in our memory. All the embarrassing moments, the heartbreaking news and the nightmares will haunt our life forever. Even the email passwords, telephone numbers, account numbers, names of our pets and our neighbors’, our examination marks and grades since primary 1 and all the trivial things will linger in mind and congest our brain. We will become uncomfortable as we have a lot of things in memory, keep on accumulating day by day and most probably we can’t take it and go insane.
In relation to this, Allah swt the Most Merciful also takes into account the nature of human beings and their shortcomings. He forgives the sins that have been committed out of forgetfulness and mistakes.
Ibn Abbas ra, reported that the Messenger of Allah saw said,
“Truly Allah swt has for my sake pardoned the mistakes and forgetfulness of my community, and for what they have done under force or duress” (Related by Ibnu Majah, al Baihaqi and others)
However, Islam definitely discourages carelessness and encourages excellence and quality at work. Trying to learn lessons from past experiences and mistakes thus improve ourselves is the best thing to do.
I want to share a familiar hadith which serves as a good reminder if we think that it’s ok to always make mistakes as Allah is Off-Forgiving. It goes, ‘La dho ro ro wala dhi ro ro ‘ which means ‘There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm’ (hadith sahih) From this hadith, we learn that we should try to minimize mistakes as much as possible because we might harm others by our faults and forgetfulness. Subhanallah, how beautiful this deen is. Highlighting on excellence in our performance yet make it possible for everyone who makes mistakes to be excused and forgiven.
Conclusion; being forgetful is a tarbiyah for me, for you and for everyone around us.
“Our Lord, punish us not if we forget or fall into error” (2: 286)
Wallahua’lam
