Thursday, November 19, 2009

:: dO yOu HaVe thE GuTs?? ::

Assalamualaikum wrt...


Let's see... Before I came to Ireland, I had always saw Islam to be under one umbrella. Where everyone works together to achieve the ultimate goal: Jannah. How mistaken I was back then. Blissfully unaware that the umbrella was not just to protect from the storm outside, but there is also has turmoils underneath it. It is here in Ireland that I learn about the many different jamaahs in the world and specifically, Malaysia.


My little analogy is like this:


Before Ireland, my view of Islam is like the outside of the small intestine; just one organ, smooth and performs one function
Now, from the point where I'm standing (not a mere observer anymore), I see Islam like the inside of the intestine; with loads and loads of individual microvilli.



My first reaction when I saw this? I was dumbfounded. What should I do? What should I believe in? Mind you, it is very easy to get lost and entangled in this confusing situation. If I am a glucose, all these microvilli will be competing to absorb me. "Come here lil glucose... come here.." *shivers*

Hmmm... so I thought, why do I have to get involved in the first place? I shouldn't have been a glucose and remain as a sandwich somewhere on a plate, running away from that intestine. But seriously... then my creation as a sandwich, my function as food, will be taken away.... When there's no reason, what good will my existence be?

Now then, jamaah and the intestine. Confusing? Yeah well, it's just a sudden thought that I had so it's okay if you think it's weird. If you don't know why I compare the 2 so totally universe apart thing together, read on, and you'll see..

1. All in one, one for all

Despite the diversity and the many jamaahs that we know of, we are, at the core, serving the same function. All these jamaahs should realize that they are all complimentary of each other. One might be more specialized in finding funds. One might be very good in personal relationships and managing events. And there might also be those who are excellent in building great understanding in peole regarding Islam itself.

The microvilli, despite its small size, is the key to an effective absorption of nutrients. They work together performing this one function that our body needs to stay alive. Imagine if the microvilli starts arguing and pushing each other away and claiming a teritory of its own, what will happen to the digestive system? The surface area to volume ratio will decrease. And the nutrients? They cannot be absorbed well. And the body? It will wither away like a flower...

So no, you can't stand alone. Respect and embrace the differences because we are all just trying to do good. If the basic concept of untiy in Islam is forsaken for these jamaahs, then the people in that group (not the jamaah itself) should understand why they are using the platform that they had chosen to do good.

And for those who are disturbed and confused, remember that all these different groups are just one and the same. Only their approaches are different. They are esentially that one whole tube that we call the intestine. So don't you worry of being lost. You are not alone in understanding this

2. The leaders

Due to its nature, the microvilli are always shedding off cells. New cells will appear and push the others to the top to replace the previus cells. I sometime wonder.... You should not publish the faces of the prophets and his companions... but why then do you keep a photo of the jamaah leaders in your house or hanging on the wall?

True, you may see it as a form of motivation but why the face? Why not hang the organization's objectives, mission and vission instead? I ask this because I heard a comment made by a friend "If the leader dies, then what will happen to the jamaah? Will people still be in it?"

MasyaAllah... Even the prophet dies... No one is immortal. If you work for the people, then your duty ends with their deaths. But if you work for Allah, your duty is forever. You will never stop and be demotivated. Why then, should the change in leadership be a problem? Change is the only certain thing that could happen to us. And with every passing of a leader, a new leader will emerge, just like the cells. Sprouting new cells to continue their function.

3. The duty

It seems that there is a very big misconception regarding jammahs. A jamaah do not and should not discriminate people. They do not label one to be 'good' (owh we should huddle together) or 'bad' (owh no no no... stay away from them) No! Only Allah has a say in that.

A jamaah is a platform. Like the microvilli, their task is to absorb the goodness in people. They are not enzymes that break people apart. Nor are they the colon that excretes the bad things from the system. The microvilli, once it sees something good, something benefitial, it will absorb without thinking where the molecule comes from or why it is there.

Of course, once people enters a jamaah, they tend to show some differences in the way they act, the way they talk, the way they behave and even in the way they dress. But if it is for the better, shouldn't that be praised and encouraged? Verily, as muslims, we should always try to make today better than yesterday. And tomorrow better than today.

Ah.... seems that's my comparison for now. Why I made an entry on this in the first place? Because I read a blog entry of a friend who feels lonely due to the jamaahs in his place. Felt as if he was left out and mistreated by the actions of the people in the jamaah. My friend, there is still a lot for us to learn it seems. Since we are all adults and have the capability to discern the right from the wrong, always pray that we make the right choice.

"Allah loves those who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure"
As-Saff: 4

[Side remark: SubahanAllah... Allah knows that we are social beings. That we need contacts with other people to live. That's why He told us to perform solat together, as a jamaah. But in His thoughful way, he set boundaries for us on how to interact between the opposite sexes so as to avoid undue social problems. What is there to complain??]

Just my 2 cents. May Allah always help us in our pursuit to enter His jannah (heaven). InsyaAllah...

(^,^)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

:: Along's Engagement ::

Alhamdulillah... Finally along is getting married!! Her engagement was held Last Friday, 6 November 2009. And I sincerely think (through the photos) that it was a very beautiful event.

I don't think there is need for words. A photo can speak a thousand words on my behalf. I pray that along and abang Razif will be blessed by Allah and have ease in their final days before the big day for nikah, insyaAllah... (^,^)

Along and Abang Razif. Truthfully, I never knew that the groom should not be present during the engagement (pertunangan) Seriously?? Is it agama or adat I have no idea though...


Sian Along... Ayah, angah and Aisyah couldn't be there on your engagement. Hope that Aiman, ibu and Aqilah's presence cheered you up. InsyaAllah, we'll be there for your wedding. So wait for us, ok (^,^)

SubahanAllah... Cantiknya along....


Owh and I never knew that you could have a pelamin too during pertunangan... hmmm... but I dun think I will have one though. Ahax, too shy... :p

Amin~

Her future-mother-in-law putting on the engagement ring (or rings?? how many rings should you have to get married? adeh~)

Sincerely, I was never directly involved in a wedding before. Seeing my sister getting married, now it kinda hit me in the head that marriage is a whole lot of work!! Huhu~ I do hope I'll learn a lot from it and be prepared for my own. Still, if I could keep mine simple, insyaAllah I will... Along, pray for me too!! hoho..

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

.: Marriage?? :.

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious Most Merciful

There are 3 rights that your children has upon you:

1. To be fathered or mothered by good people

2. To be taught reading the Quran

3. To be married off to a good person

Yesterday I YM along and asked her about her engagemnet party. MasyaAllah... It was simply beautiful! I really wished that I was there to see it but at least, insyaAllah, I could go and see the more important day of her nikah later this December.

And while I was chatting away with along, Asma was also talking with her umi. Later she told me how her umi (mother) was quite concerned with her brother's future wife. Wow~ and weren't there quite a lot! I was ignorant to the fact how future mother-in-laws will weigh up and down their prospective son's wife. And... in a way... the details are hprrifying... huhu~

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "A woman is married for 4 things, i.e, her beauty, her wealth, her family status and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman [otherwise] you will be a loser"

MasyaAllah.. Allah had already taught us how to choose a future spouse. But in our day and age, what criteria has become the benchmark?

1. Her education

- finished studies already? Secondary? diploma? degree? masters? And is it comparable with their son's level of education

2. Her age

- Older..?? can't you find someone younger? Too young?? Are you sure she's not there to rip you of your wealth?

3. Her personal skills

- can she communicate well with others? Can she fit in the family? Can she sew? cook? clean the house? look after children? Everything must be no less than perfect!

4. Her occupation

- Comparable with the son's? what about the wages? Good enough or too good?

5. Her origin

- No Kelantanese... No Negeri Sembilan girls... No Sabahan... No KL girls... No... no... (lucky there's only 14 states in Malaysia) If possible, find someone near home and build your family there

~sigh~ why has the marriage institutions gets this harder and harder to venture..? Yes, there are some very relevant issues being considered but some others are completely ridiculous.

So now we are facing a society who don't want to get married young. Their reasons?

1. 'I am not ready'

People, mark my words, until you have passed the threshold of a married couple, you can never be ready for what awaits you beyond it. Even after getting you first child, you may still not be ready. But being ready is not the problem. The best thing is to try your hardest to be prepared. Just like your exams. It is not until after you answered the first question or after receiving your results that you admit you were ready.

2. 'My calling has not come yet'

What is most glorious than the calling of Allah?

"And of His signs is this: He created for you companions from yourselves that you might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. In this indeed are signs for people who reflect" [30:21]

SubahanAllah

3. 'I don't have a candidate'

Ladies and gentlemen, finding a spouse is a work.. an Ibadah in itself. Like the earlier hadith, it is a right that you have to fulfil. Yes, your future half has already been set out for you. Already written. But, you cannot expect them to just come flying to you if you don't put the effort to find them. Don't misinterpret this as telling all of you to go out to mingle, socialize and date. No!! There are much more subtle and beautiful ways of knowing a prospective spouse that has been ruled out by Islam. So follow the rules and don't commit mistakes before marriage. Like Bro Ali said in his video, start with a good step.

Brothers and sisters, I was brought up in a society that was reflected above. A society where marriage is more of a hush-hush, only adluts can talk about issue. How adult is adult though? It is when you have already finished your studies, have worked for at least a year, have a car or a house and is stable financially. In this case, I would only get married by the age of 28.

In a way, as Kak Nida' told me, we cannot blame our parents on this. They may set a certain criteria of when to get married, but in reality, your maturity is the main thing that they will consider. They know you more than you know yourself. More than you will admit. And they are just trying to help and see whether you are truly able to enter the married life. It is on our part (the youngsters) to show them that we are, truly, able to do so.

However, parents, if you are reading this, please don't make it so difficult for your children. Thousands and thousands of ringgit for a wedding? Remember, it is a sunnah to invite people to come and know about your child's marriage but going over the board and spending extravagantly, there will be more sins than good being accumulated in the wedding ceremony.

The family institution is the most basic institution in our religion. It is where a child is nurtured and personality being developed. InsyaAllah, if we start a family right, we developed a new generation of Muslims who has their izzah in being a muslim, eventualy, these individulas will form a community, then a society, then a nation... Who knows. By the time our great-great-great grandchildren are born into the world, Islam might be leading the world again.

I am not very well versed in the fiqh of marriage. For more information on Islam and marriage, do visit this site:

http://www.jannah.org/sisters/marriage.html

"O Allah! I seek Your Guidance (in making a choice) by virture of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virture of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.

O Allah! If in Your knowledge, (this matter) is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs; immediate and in the distant, then ordain for me, and make it easy for me and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, (this matter) is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs; immediate and in the distant, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it be and make me pleased with it"

~Amin~

:: A Bad Dream ::

Assalamualaikum wrt...

People, I was really hoping to upload my along's engaement photos and a lil post on 'weddings'. But I'm afraid that will have to wait a lil...

Why?

Well.... I had a bad dream last night... You know when on the verge of sleeping you remembered someone and that someone enters your dream? That was what happened. Before going to bed, I was askinh Allah to guide me so that I make the right choice.

I don't remember the start of the dream. All I can remember is that at the end, someone commited suicide. A friend of mine died. Astaghfirullah... I really hope it is just sleep's play. That dream during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep...

Ya Allah, please protect the people who are with me, around me and people who are dear to me. Help them in their times of need. Please grant us your sakinah (calm) ya Allah. To You we worship and to you only we ask for help. Please do not forsake us from your thoughts even for the shortest of time. Ya Rahman, please guide us and give us strentgh to overcome the obstacles that comes in our way

Amin~

Friday, November 6, 2009

Chasing Your Shadow

Assalamualaikum wrt...

Ah~ it's been a very very long while since I post anything in this blog. Time to do some winter cleaning ^^

Well, to start it off, today I went to a talk by Yusha Evans at the Arts Building TCD. At first I was apprehnsive. 'so? just another speaker from america. Yeah, ok. Whatever'. And if it was not because of my housemates (all six of them went) I might be locked up in my room still and doing anything that my laptop permits me to do.

At 6.30 pm the talk starts and masyaAllah. I was fascinated on how this one guy was always praising to Allah in both Arabic and the English translation.

The talk is part of a series of talk that Yusha Evans will give in a course of 14 days to arouse Muslim Youths on their potential and what has to be done: The Sleeping Giant.

From today's talk, what really made an impression on me was a saying by one of the sahabat;

"The world is like a shadow. If you try to chase it, it will run away from you. But the moment you turn your back on it, it will walk behind you"

I have been busy this few weeks with the workload from PPIMI and the upcoming HELWA day. And there's an online quiz to be attempted this weekend. And of course, there's study. And Tazkirah to think of.

But then.... Where had I put my priorities...? My niat, has it changed? Or simply non-existant at all? Am I just running after my shadow now? I don't wanna. Chasing a shadow is foolish since nobody can catch it. So now I should turn my back on it and start working on my niat. Refresh my niat and think more on my preparations for the life after. Then, insyaAllah, my tasks will be in order. More can be accomplished without me realizing it. That is Allah's promise to us.

Owh and one other thing that I liked very much... Smile (^,^)

Rasulullah s.a.w had once said that there will be a generation of people where what they do are 50 times better than those of the sahabat. Can you guess who.....??

Yup, it's US!! Us, the nobody that we think we are. Us who could barely keep our prayers in check. We are the one who were mentioned in that hadith. We are the generation who lives without seeing the prophet and still repeating the syahadah. We are the genration that is costantly being bombarded with all sorts of entertainment that can seperate us from our din. And to top it off, it is the time of youth where temptation runs high and persistently makes us want to do things against the teaching of Allah. And to think that our beloved prophet had been thinking of us even back then.... Subahanallah...

So, my dear brothers and sisters, when ever you confront with difficulties and a very very very strong urge of temptation to do munkar (I know how hard it is) just smile. Because every fight against temptation is a great win in Allah's favour. Smile because there are so many opportunities for us to do good. Smile because when someone looks down on you, bad mouth about you, or even do any physical harm to you, Allah will always be there to back you up. And when Allah backs you up, not even the world can defeat you

So smile, have faith, and always remember where your priorities are...

JazakaAllahu khairan kathiro (^,^)