Humayra's Writing Den

~School's Out: What to Do After SPM? Jom JDK! ~

2011-12-14T23:41:00.001+08:00

Assalamualaikum..

Well... a lot of things had been going on these past few weeks. Time waits for no man, hence we really do need to utilize time wisely.

For those of you who are finishing SPM, or have kids who had just finished them, or are teachers of fifth formers, here is an activity to fill up some of those free time wisely. A programme designed to upgrade life skills, and to gain many new experiences. Kursus Jati Diri dan Kesukarelawanan (JDK).

Well... without ranting too much, I'll share the poster:

So... a bit of a background.. JDK had been held since 2009, and had now expanded to include four places, namely Johor, Selangor, Perak and Terengganu. The poster above is the poster for JDK in Johor, but the programme will be held at the same time in all four states, insyaAllah, that is from 24th December to 14th January.

The location for all the states are as written below:

1) Batu Ampar Resort, Kampung Paya Lintah, Perak

2) Kem Bumi Jati, Shah Alam, Selangor

3) Savannah Hill, Ulu Tiram, Johor

4) ILIM, Besut, Terengganu

For sharing of past experiences with JDK, here are some:
1. http://jdk2011.haluan.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36:perkongsianjdk-2010-halawatuliman05&catid=20&Itemid=169
2. http://jdk2011.haluan.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35:memori-indah-jdk-zon-timur-brohamzah&catid=20&Itemid=169

It's a worthwhile experience, and value for money, indeed.
Hope to meet all of you there! :)

Be The Best That You Can Ever Be….

2011-11-20T13:56:00.001+08:00

>> this is a lovely poem my mum shared when I was in lower secondary school… found it again online, and decide to share it with you. Disclaimer: I do not write this, nor do I know who did. But you sure write a great poem!

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.

The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.

The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.

Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.

Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.

Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.

Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy with
the face looking back at you.

“Different”: A Label of Hidden Blessings

2011-10-30T15:41:00.001+08:00

Have you ever been labelled 'different' in any way? Do you have any abnormality or deficiency which makes you stand out from the ordinary?

As an eye care practitioner, I occasionally met some people who are different compared to the normal human population. Some of the abnormality acquired as they grow older, while others have been different, ever since they are born. Some of these deficiencies are obvious, while others are only known to themselves. Some of the conditions are diagnosed by my colleague, lecturers (while in university), doctors, or me (depending on the severity of the condition). Not that I was oblivious to how the patients feel about the conditions they're dealing with, but somehow or other, one occasionally forgets how it feels to be in their shoes.

Yet one question came up recently, asked by a friend: "What are the advantages of being colour blind?" The random inquiry got me thinking... yes, being colour blind (a more accurate term which is colour vision deficiency-CVD) may be a disadvantage, if observed from one angle: that you are 'different', and you are unable to work in certain jobs or distinguish certain colours. Yet looking at it from another perspective, there are hidden blessings waiting to be discovered amidst the difficulties. Let's see what some of them are...

~Rainbows: what some colour vision deficiency people see~

source:http://forquestions.com/how-are-color-blindness-see-the-rainbow/298

Ever since I was small, I was used to people around me being a bit different from myself, and different from the crowd. My brother, a close friend now, and a good rival when we're younger, is one of them. Another is my best friend during secondary school. However, in spite of their disadvantage in terms of appearance, both of them grew very strong and healthy personalities. Sure, they're both teased and laughed at occasionally. But they learn to find true friends, voice out their thoughts, and strengthen their self esteem with the help of great teachers, friends and family. Both are now one of the most confident people I know.

In a sense, Allah made them different, but He moulds their character like no one else can, giving them great people to befriend and love them. In colour vision deficiency context, you do have slight difficulty in identifying some colours from each other, yet you have discovered friends who don't mind helping you out in distinguishing them apart, and not laugh at you if you confuse them. As it is, most of the time, should you lack one thing, you are given an edge elsewhere by The Most High, Most Merciful.

There are certain limitations to having colour vision defect; for certain wavelength of colours may seem similar to others. Certain day-to-day activities such as identifying traffic light colours, certain electrical components, and jobs such as train operators and electrician may be restricted for them. Yet, one should be thankful. For in this world, there are people who have so much less than what we do. Vision-wise, some people are blind ever since they are born. Others find that their vision is reducing day by day. Some people have very limited vision that not even the best of spectacles can help them see as we do. Other people have a lack of pigments on their eyes, and thus have very high sensitivity to light. These are just some of the many other types of eye conditions which some people suffer. Yet all in all, no matter what our condition is, be it a simple case of short-sightedness, a reversible case of cataract, CVD, or even blindness, remember that Allah made us all in the best possible way. We are chosen to be special in that sense.

The conditions, deficiencies, and disabilities... those are part and parcel of who we are. A reminder for us, that we are indeed very fragile, but Allah loves us all the same. Be thankful for them, and be thankful for the abilities which each one of us has, as well. Allow them to make us more humble as HIS servants. But make sure, that we don't look at them as something which hampers us from going forward. Instead, look at them as obstacles, stepping stones for us to move forward and be better person in serving Allah, and benefiting the society.

Finally... to answer my friend's question in a scientific perspective.... colour blind is a deficiency, which causes limitation in colour perception. This is mostly due to cone photoreceptors (which allows colours to be distinguished) in the retina which lacks one (or more) photosensitive pigments, which causes as inability to recognize one of the three primary colours of light, either red, green, or blue. Hence the impact on activities which requires colour identification might be quite a lot. Recent research shows that Deutans (the most common form of colour vision defect) are more accurate in identifying camouflaged colours then those with normal colour vision. It is thought that this is beneficial during the time when most men are hunters, as they could sense hidden animals easier. As for its benefits for present times, that remains a mystery. But one thing for sure, you may happily solve coloured rubic cube puzzles which baffles us, as your colour perspective is different.

~Pencil colours: what some colour vision deficiency people see~

source:http://forquestions.com/how-are-color-blindness-see-the-rainbow/298

All in all, be it someone with perfect vision, colour blind, squinting eyes, dyslexia, handicapped, blind... Let us not be blinded by how great we are, or how bad our condition is. For the reality of this world, which so many people turn a blind eye to, is that this world is but a transient stop to the next life. Whatever our condition is, it is but a temporary test presented to us in this world that will be lifted once we are in Jannah, insyaAllah. Allah does not mind if we are 'different'. No. All He minds is how we face life's tests and undergo our journey in this world, how close we are to The Creator, and how much we try to benefit others, in spite of our limitations.

"O mankind! We have created you from male and female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honoured among you in the sight of Allah is the one who is the most righteous." (al-Hujurat: 13)

>> A reminder for me to remember, thoughts for you to ponder and reflect. J

[Alert!!] Somalia

2011-08-23T22:58:00.000+08:00

Somalia is calling.. show that we care!
Take time this Ramadhan to do your part in helping those in need.

A touching entry regarding the famine HERE

For a New Chapter of Life!

2011-06-26T15:11:00.005+08:00

Assalamualaikum...

First of all.. it's been eons since this blog's updated. So I owe all of you a huge apology. Sorry guys, for making you wait this long. So much has been going on the past few months with school, and life in general.

Well... a lot have happened, and I've ended one big chapter of my life. My life as a university student. Alhamdulillah.. I'll be graduating this year, with all of my classmates. Yup. No more university classes and clinics. But welcome, to the school of life. I'll be starting my first carrier as a professional soon, insyaAllah. Undoubtedly, my heart's been racing with nervous anticipation of what's in store. My boss seems nice, but very strict, at the same time. Hope I'll have a good time working, and no trouble adjusting to the working world.

Some of you might have just graduated too, and maybe start working already. Or have been working part time somewhere in this long university holidays. Well... here are a few reminders. Written to remind me when I work later. Hope they will be useful to you too.

While so many people work for money...

Chasing large cars, big houses

Be sure you are different

Make money. No problem

But work solely for your Lord

For all things in life may come and go

(yes, even those mountains of money you invest!)

Yet faith in Allah

Work, for HIS sake

Will take you forward

Most importantly

Will bring you fountains of happiness

Here, and in the hereafter

Work may tire you

They may stress you out

But remember,

Difficulties that doesn't kill you will only make you stronger

and repeat this favorite verse

"Verily after hardship, comes relief!"

InsyaAllah, Allah will never let you down

Hard work and patience is the ingredient that brings you far

Persevere and strive forward

For Rome is not built in one day

Nor can an optometrist become an expert in a blink of an eye

You may earn thousands of Ringgit

Yet, my dear self,

Never let money fool you

Never let money change who you are

Don't let greed overshadow your principles

Don't allow them from preventing you to do what's right

Happiness does not come from money

For it is only but a tool

Always remember,

What you give to others

Are the only things that really belongs to you

For those are yours to bring you to Jannah

Also, please do remember this verse:

"And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allâh)

are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness,

and when the foolish address them (with bad words)

they reply back with mild words of gentleness."

(Al-Furqan: 63)

No matter how high you go

No matter how much money and power you possess

Walk down the streets with humility

Treat everyone with respect

For we are all the same in Allah's eyes

Only piety makes one special to Him.

Last but not least...

Remember your dreams

Go for your goals

Fulfill your responsibilities

To Allah, to your parents, your family,

your friends, your customers, and the ummah

And strive on to become beneficial

For Allah's sake

No matter what you do.

"And which you give in gift (to others),

in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return)

from other people's property, has no increase with Allah.

But that which you give in charity

seeking Allah's Countenance then those,

They shall have manifold increase"

(ar-Rum: 39)

~ whew... a long rant indeed. Perhaps due to the prolonged silence from any rants previously? Hmm.. may be. Anyway.. that's all for this time. Please remind me when I forget these things... May Allah bless you and me.

p/s: please pray for me, I've a driving test on Wednesday, and I'm very nervous...

An Inspirational Story ~ Honesty

2011-03-09T21:46:00.000+08:00

Picture source: http://www.asktonythegardener.com/

Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different.

He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, “It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you.” The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. “I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!”

There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing.

By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn’t have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, “Hey nice try.”

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown,” said the emperor. “Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!”

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. “The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!”

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. “My name is Ling,” he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, “Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!” Ling couldn’t believe it. Ling couldn’t even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grown, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!”

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Source: http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/an-inspirational-story-honesty/

Hope So..

2011-02-20T19:39:00.001+08:00

After every hardship, there's relief!

You'll see the beauty of this journey.

InsyaAllah.

Till then.. persevere!

Sometimes.. I Wonder

2011-02-20T19:23:00.001+08:00

At times I wonder....

What's there in front of me?

Running.. walking... falling...

climbing back up again.

Run. Walk. Stumble.

Repeat the cycle. Again and again.

All for the future.

Hopes and dreams of happiness

Bliss. In this life, and the next.

A small voice inside me speak again..

Will my dreams be mine someday?

Ya Allah...

Let me be a good servant.

A servant tireless in facing life's journey

A servant who accepts all tribulations, situations

Sticks and stones of life

Ya al-'Azeem,

Let me be a servant who,

no matter how tough things are,

how hopeless things seem

will always have faith

and never give up hope

to You.

A servant who,

If I'm blessed with an easy life

will never forget You

will still humbly bow low

and serve You,

to the best of my ability

to be thankful to You

always...

for now I plead...

Oh Allah, al Ba'ith

please grant me patience and strength

grant me optimism in what I do

lend me the will to pursue my dreams...

Current feelings? Well... I'll let you guess. But please do pray for me, dear friends. Life is hectic. May Allah bless...

Let The Love be Real!

2011-02-15T22:59:00.001+08:00

Assalamualaikum readers...

No, this post is not about valentines day. 'Love', for me, is not just about those around you. It goes deeper than that. Because it transcends boundaries of place, time, and even dimensions.

It is a powerful feeling. It may motivate, weaken, strengthen people. It gives value and happiness to life, while, for others, brings despair and hardships.

Who do you love most?
Try ask your heart that question...
Is it yourself? Your parents? Your friends? Your future spouse? Your money?

or..
Is it Allah and His prophet, Muhammad PBUH?

In al-Quran, Allah states:

Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allâh and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause[], then wait until Allâh brings about His Decision (torment). And Allâh guides not the people who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh) [at-Tawbah: 24]

So look into your heart... check again, who do you love most? If Allah and Prophet Muhammad pbuh is not on the top list, try, try, and try to make it the one you love most. For this verse comes as a warning, that Allah will torment those who love others more than Him, and His prophet.

If you claim that you do love Allah and the Prophet most of all, what is your proof? Loving, initiates action. Imagine, telling a girl that you love her so much, then neglecting her, never giving her anything, not caring for her. Do you think the girl will believe you? The same also applies to loving Allah and Rasulullah. It requires you to act, for the rest of your life, according to what Allah and Rasulullah likes, and avoiding what they dislike.

If you think that, your heart is still far from putting Allah and Rasulullah on top, don't despair. Just resolve, from now on, to put them on top. Act, as if they are already in your heart, as the one you love most. For by action, you are training your heart, to make it a reality.

Think that it is so difficult to love Allah? Try and get closer to Him. Get to know Him more... through The Quran, through pondering on His creations, His everlasting love and care. Allah loves us so much already. Look at everything He gave us. Our body, the air we breath, the money we have... the list is endless. Yet if we love Allah, He will love us, so much more.

As for Rasulullah, remember that he really does love us. So much, that even until his last breath, he calls "ummati... ummati..." and worries about us. This man had given his whole life to ensure Islam reaches us today. He sacrifices everything, his time, his money, his energy, so that we are saved from being burnt in hellfire. Is he not worth loving?

"My ummah, those who follow me, the future of their faith makes me worry till I cry!" - Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

Let us try. Let us instill love, for Allah and Rasulullah, deep inside our heart. Remind ourselves of this verse, again:

Me: I aim to go into Heaven, and meet Allah and Propher Muhammad. Don't you? Come on then.. let's work towards it!

Life: Overwhelmed

2011-02-15T21:33:00.001+08:00

Assalamualaikum everyone...

Ever felt that sometimes, things get so overwhelming in life? They just started to spin around you, in one chaotic manner, piling up stress on your tired mind, more and more? Making you want to break down, as if your mind is in need of re-wiring.

Neurons... in need of re-wiring

Well... al-Quran is indeed the best balm for those moments. The best loveletter of all time. Here are a few nice verses to remember when you're feeling down:

Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. ( 13:28)

O mankind, there has come to you a protection from your Lord and a healing for what is in your hearts, and for those who believe, a guidance and a mercy. (10:57)

Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. (2:257)

When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. (2:186)

"Say: Praise be to Allah, and Peace on His servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better?― Allah or the false gods they associate with Him? (59) Or who has created the heaven and the earth, and who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty and delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay they are a people who swerve from justice.(60) Or, who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay most of them know not. (61) Or, who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed! (62) Or, who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? High is Allah above what they associate with Him! (63) Or who originates Creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say "Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!" (64) Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).(65)" (an-Naml: 59-63)

Need to keep moving forward. Need to keep going. Because tougher things are, the stronger you'll be, at the end of it all. Maintain pace, increase them, if possible.

Yeah, final year is tiring. But insyaAllah, there'll be rewards for them. Besides.. Jannah ain't cheap at all. And if you consider studying to be a Jihad, then struggle forward, no matter how tough things may be. Life's matters are also tough. So much to think of, so much to settle. So many people to please and consider. Yet that's life. The older you are, the more responsibilities you will have. The more you have to consider. But insyaAllah, Allah will make you be ready for them when the time comes. Ya Allah... please make me strong. Make me strong, in facing everything, in dealing with every matter, the way You please.

I know I'm waiting
Waiting for something
Something to happen to me
But this waiting comes with
Trials and challenges
Nothing in life is free

I wish that somehow
You'd tell me out aloud
That on that day I'll be ok
But we'll never know cause
That's not the way it works
Help me find my way

My Lord show me right from wrong
Give me light make me strong
I know the road is long
Make me strong

Sometimes it just gets too much
I feel that I've lost touch
I know the road is long
Make me strong

I know I'm waiting
Yearning for something
Something known only to me
This waiting comes with
Trials and challenges

Life is one mystery

I wish that somehow
You'd tell me out aloud
That on that day you'll forgive me
But we'll never know cause
That's not the way it works

I beg for your mercy
My Lord show me right from wrong
Give me light make me strong
I know the road is long
Make me strong

Sometimes it just gets too much
I feel that I've lost touch
I know the road is long
Make me strong

Nasyid: I am Near

2011-01-13T23:02:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Hm... I haven't shared any nasyeed in a while... so.. decide to share one here. Many thanks to a dear sister, Sarah, who shared this with me earlier today. I love the lyrics so much, masyaALlah. Hope you do too.

Do listen to this song with your heart, not just as an entertainment. May Allah bless.

Song: I am Near
By: Native Deen
Lyric Source: http://www.nativedeen.com/iamnear/

Ya Allah - Subhannahu wa ta'alla (Glorious and exalted)
Ya Allah - Samee' Li-duana (The One who hears our prayers)
My Lord - I know that you hear me
Ya Rabbi (oh My Lord) - Cause He says

When they ask about me, my servants, I am near
Have no doubts about me, and know I hear your prayer
Take one step towards me, and I'll come running to you
Just have faith and believe, and know I listen to you

Allahummah (Dear God) creator of the universe,
maker of this living earth
greater than we comprehend

Allahummah your the King of all Kings
created all things
on you we all depend.

Allahummah please forgive me my sins,
my heart to be cleansed,
my soul purified, Ameen!

Allahummahaa protect me desires that
Lead to the fire, its you who provides, Ameen!

Allahummah help the Muslims of world,
Give them joy, give them love.
every boy every girl, Ameen!

Allahummun now this prayer I made,
Just to you I prayed
Cause indeed you said…

[Chorus]

Allahummah let my people understand me,
Guide my neighbors, co-workers
the human family. Ameen!

Allahummah help my people up in Palestine,
Who be dying,
Oppressed all the time, Ameen!

Allahummah give the folks in my community, unity
and help our youth to succeed, Ameen!
Allahummah bless my mother and father, my sisters and brothers
my wife and my daughter, Ameen!

Allahummah bless this group Native Deen,
help us stay on the path
Siratal Mustaqim, Ameen!

Allahummah now this prayer I made, just to you i prayed
cause indeed you said.

[Chorus]

Call on God, He is glorified,
We call him a lot but you don't even try

Call on God, you want to know why,
Should I even call and will he reply

Call on God, raise your hands high
He wants you to call him every day and night

Call on God, he hears when you cry,
He made it a promise and he would never lie.

Allah ya Rabbi, Ya Rabb
Help me increase my Iman (faith)
Allah ya Rabbi, Ya Rabb
Help me have faith in your plan
Allah ya Rabbi, Ya Rabb
Your blessings please never stop
Allah ya Rabbi Ya Rabb
Grant me peace in my heart!

[Chorus]

Beauty by Definition

2011-01-13T22:17:00.003+08:00

assalamualaikum wbt. everyone!

How are you? May Allah guide you, and me in the right path, towards eternal success, insyaAllah.

Today I would like to share a very nice video. This brother made a poem, on 'beautiful'. Very nice, masyaAllah. But before you press the play button, I would like to ask you to take time and reflect for a while.. what is YOUR definition of beautiful?

Think...

Think..

Okey, you can watch it now.. (^_^)

Hope you had watched it, and enjoyed it as much as I did. Did it penetrate through your mind and have you re-define beauty as it had on me?

A few highlights of the video...

Everyone loves beauty. Everyone appreciates beauty, and wish to be beautiful. Girls spend their time in front of the mirror, while guys try their best to look sharp in their ties, blazers and slacks.

Yet is that the limitation of beauty that we seek? Is beauty, showing off sexuality, make-ups, injections, faking here and there? Is that all there is?

But if the whole world was blind, then how many people would you impress??

Beauty by definition, should not be so vague. If it is all up to sights.. then there must be a huge piece missing out of the whole picture. Because beauty is obviously more than just about sights and smells. It should be more than just face paints, hair dyes, and perfumes.

Love yourself first, before anyone else can love you. And to love yourself, is to love The One of which to all love belongs.
Never thought of it this way... but yeah, in order to appreciate yourself, you must first appreciate your Creator and Sustainer. The Most Beautiful. Thus to be confident that Allah had made us, the best, is to love, and really feel that He, our Creator, is, first and foremost, The Best. The Most Beautiful will indeed made us beautiful, as He loves beauty. And thus we also realize that, because He created us, He'll know what's the best protection for us, to remain beautiful in His eyes. Thus, we try our very best to obey Him.

Once, I've faced with a challenge. Which opened up my own view of how some people view hijab, and of my own views and stand, too. In primary school (Primary Four, if I'm not mistaken), I was once laughed at when a strong gust of wind blew and my hijab went right off. Alhamdulillah, my friends back then were very supportive, and immediately surrounded me so that I can wear them properly again. I was really mad at the boy who laughed. And yes, a tad bit ashamed, too, at the time, perhaps. But as I pondered upon the incident years afterwards, I guess... it was not his fault. The boy is just a kid. Stereotyping people is everywhere, and kids just follow others. Yet , alhamdulillah, at the time, I have proudly persevered with my attire, for it represents me, as a Muslimah. And I've to show that, despite what others say, I am not oppressed by what I choose to wear. Without a doubt, his insults hurt. I am just a kid. But thankfully Allah sent me good friends who protect me and reassure that it is alright to practice what I understand. To backtrack a little, at the time, the Public School I went to had only two full time hijabis. Me, and another Iranian girl who is two years older than I. Hence, his views and acts, were, I presume, an act done out of ignorance. And yes, many others have faced much harder criticism and mockery than I had. Undoubtedly.

Which brings me to this stanza: Maybe she doesn't even care what people think. 'Coz most people's opinion ain't even valid.

In this so called 'modern' world, so many people view hijab as oppression. Others, in many parts of the Muslim society (even in Malaysia), view hijab as more of a fashion, rather than an act done willingly, in order to obey the Creator, because she truly understands and realize fully what the hijab meant for her. Opinions, to girls, especially, seem to matter a lot, somehow. "How do I look? Is this zit so big that it showed? Is my hair right today?" are just some of the many questions girls ask themselves, again and again. But through the hijab, Allah thought us to look at beauty in a different perspective. Not as how others see you, but how did Allah look at you? What is His opinion?

The hijab should not just be a fashion sense. Nor should someone wear them, just for the sake of obeying a teacher, or parents. If so, then at another place, some other situation, at work, etc, she might just take them off again, because of what people see, because it is not the trend, or because of the weird way she's being seen.

Enough of my own rants. What is beauty to you? Let's ponder and reflect.
May Allah bless....

Supplements, Pills… and Health

2011-01-09T22:33:00.001+08:00

Bottles upon bottles of pills. Some gel-like, others small, and some are huge. Variety. Of different colours, too. She took them, one by one, swallowing them faithfully.

No, don’t worry. She’s not a drug addict. Nor is she on slimming pills, frantically trying to loose weigh.

She had have a fever. It had been almost a week now, and the fever does not really seem to improve, sadly. Supplements? She took four different kinds. Drugs? Well, she went to see her physician and got plenty.

That night, as she faithfully took some pills and drank them with water, a thought dawned on her. Pills can never make her better. She had been mistakenly pining her hopes upon them.

What? Then what about all the medications that had been prescribed by doctors every day, and taken by so many people throughout the world? They cannot make people better? Then what’s the purpose of Pharmacists? What about all the Pharmacies and Pharmaceutical companies everywhere?

Hold it… That is not exactly what I mean.

As a health science student, I learned all about mechanisms of actions of drugs, the types, effectiveness and so on and so forth.

What this girl realised is, that no matter how much drug she took, no matter how many different supplements she had, only her Creator was able to make her better. That, she had somehow forgotten.

So… are the pills useless? Absolutely not. But they are just tools that we use, in order to try and get better. At the end of the day, if she had indeed recovered, it is only with the help of Allah. Although she did try numerous means to get well.

A very important thing to remember, that no matter what, ONLY IN ALLAH SHOULD WE PIN OUR HOPES. Hopes to be happy, to get well, to get a job, to get good spouses, and so much more.

Yes, put our hope on HIM, and HE alone will help you get better. Because no matter how good a drug is, or how effective a herb is for the pain you face, only Allah can make them work for you. Only Allah can defeat the bacteria or virus that is attacking your body. When our defence system is weak, only Allah can help make them strong again.

You don’t trust HIM? Then who can you trust? Because at the end of the day, in reality, Allah had indeed created you. Every single cell of your body. He knows, everything. Everything that goes into our body and out of it.

Turn to Allah. Not only at times of sickness. But turn to Allah for everything. In every phase of life. For no matter what, HE knows best.

Put hope in Him, pray, read the Quran, make zikrullah, and remember Allah, day and nights. By the way… al-Quran is one of the best medication available. It reconnects us to our Creator, and Sustainar.

~Sorry… an update that is long overdue from me. Hope this is up to your expectation. And most of all, I hope this serves as a reminder to you, and me.

May Allah bless.

The Three Heroes Who Failed

2010-12-03T12:40:00.004+08:00

I was browsing through an old book of mine, and found this hadeeth (from Sahih Muslim):

Abu Hurairah reports that the Messenger of Allah PBUH said:

[The first hero]
   Certainly, the first person who will be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a Shaheed (matyr). He will be brought before Allah, Who will then list the favors which were bestowed upon him (in the world), and the Shaheed will recognize them. Then (Allah) will ask, "What did you do with them?"
   He will reply, "I fought in Your cause and die as a Shaheed."
   But Allah will say, "You're lying. You only fought so people would call you brave, and so they said it."
   Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.

[The second hero]
   Then a person who acquired and taught knowledge and recited the Quran will be brought before Allah, Who will remind the person of the blessings (he received) and he will recognize them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?"
   He will reply, "I acquired and taught knowledge and recited the Quran for Your sake."
   But Allah will say, "You're lying. You acquired knowledge only so people would call you a scholar and you recited the Quran only so they would call you a reciter, and so you were."
   Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.

[The third hero]
   Then a person whom Allah had made influential and who was given riches would be brought forward and informed about the favours he received, and he will recognize them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?"
   He will reply, "I donated in every cause for You would have wanted me to."
   Allah will say, "You're lying. You only donated so that people would call you generous, and so they said it."
   Then the command will be issued and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hellfire.

To sum it up all together, which of these heroes benefit from their efforts? Sure, they gain popularity and publicity in the Earth, but is it worth it? At the end of the day, although they seem to be doing good and noble acts, fighting for Islam, taught knowledge, recite the Quran, and donate to good causes, they fail to achieve happy ending in front of Allah.

Why so? Because the intentions of these men are not solely for Allah's sake. Hence, in spite of all their efforts and time, they are not rewarded in the next life.

Let us reflect back at our own life. We study, work all day, donate our time, money and efforts on good causes, but is it really for His sake? Or do we have, hidden deep inside, a hidden desire to become popular, rich or to show off? Let us check our intentions. Check our hearts. For our actions will be useless, unfortunately, had they not been for Allah alone. Sure, you might get good positions, be world-renown in this earth, but this world is a temporary abode, and the hereafter is forever. Never forget that vital fact.

"Verily the hereafter is better to you than the present." (ad-Dhuha:4)

Here's a du'a that we should recite often, as a safety measure to protect ourselves from misguided intentions..

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught Abu Bakr a supplication by which we can ask Allah forgiveness when insincerity strikes us unawares. He instructed him to say: "O Allah! I seek refuge with you from associating partners with you knowingly and I seek your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly." [al-Bukhari]

What steps should you take in ensuring that your intentions remain pure? Do share! I'll write more regarding intentions in other posts, insyaALlah...

Source of Hadeeth: taken from What Islam is All About, by Yahya Emerick [original source: Sahih Muslim]

Trials and Tribulations

2010-11-26T16:36:00.000+08:00

Troubles come and go. Sometimes it piles up, one on top of the other. At times, it feels like one cannot take it anymore. Sometimes, one just lets everything go. Shut down. Hibernate. Call it whatever you want. This is what happens, I guess.

But Allah is always there. Waiting for us to get back to him. Patiently, He waits. With gentle reminders, time and time again. "Get back on track." He whispers. A sudden, unexpected question from a friend. A timely sharing of article from another. A sudden drive to do what was obviously wrong, which works as though someone had just dumped a bucket of cold water on your face (the simile is weird, but yeah, that's how it seems).

All along, a flashing red light keeps sending warning signals inside my head. One that would have been noticed easily, had this girl been alright in the first place. Yet she keeps suppressing them, covering her eyes from the reality. "Ignore them. You're facing too much already as it is."

Yeah, that was the case, till a few days ago. Hence the hiatus. From blogging, from being the old me.

I snapped out of it, Alhamdulillah, with Allah's help. He pulled me through. Though everything is not completely over, it is indeed a much needed start. Have had a lot of damage control that needs to be done, though. A heart in need of repair. Thoughts to sort out, priorities to be set. And a multitude of repentance to Him, for time wasted, for neglecting to turn to Him in healing my wound.

But Alhamdulillah. Thank You Allah. For giving me the opportunity to go to the meet in that house up the hill. Where they had, unintentionally, reminded me, again and again, of my little heart that had been neglected. Thank You, Allah. For sending my old pal to hear me out. To tell me everything will be fine. Even though she had to lend her ears at midnight, when everyone else was asleep. When she had to wake up extremely early the next day. Most of all… thank You, Allah. For showing me the way, guiding me, puling me back, again and again, to the right way, when I stumble and fall.

Trials and tribulations come and go. Hopefully, the next time they come, I won't break down like I had this time. Hopefully, the next time they come, I turn to Him first, instead of wasting a whole lot of time dealing with them with my emotions. Next time, hopefully, I checked my connections with Allah in my heart first, before dealing with it any other way.

Need to check my heart... how is its connections with Allah??

Next time anything comes up, I hope, I can remember this verse:

"Or do you think that you shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! verily the help of Allah is (always) near." (al-Baqarah: 214)

Yeah, life in this world is full of tests. Otherwise, how will we be able to gain Jannah?

Allah knows what's best for us. Always. And He knows, what is going on with our life. More than we do, actually.

This time round, Allah had shown me, again and again, that He is most Merciful. Apparently I forgot that, too… (yeah, it is so easy to say them. But when it boils down to the need to understand them in my heart, I forget, sometimes.)

"Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (az-Zumar: 53)

Sharing this for anyone who is going through the same thing. May Allah guide us, and help us all remain in the right path, no matter what comes our way. Writing this down, so that I can be reminded again in the future, too. If there comes a time when the going gets rough. And sharing this, so that each of us are reminded. That we have an important duty as a friend: to help our friends out when they face with difficulties. No, not in terms of money, but even lending an ear to listen to their woes helps a lot. If you are far away, or when you are nearby, send them a prayer once a while. It makes a whole lot of difference to a person. Indeed.

May Allah guide us all. For without His guidance, we are nothing, nothing at all…

I might be talking in a riddle, today. But I hope the message got through, anyway.

May Allah bless.

~ English: Pronunciation Test and some... ~

2010-11-17T20:12:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum everyone...

First of all... forgive me for leaving this blog in a hiatus for so long.. will try and update some stuff soon, insyaALlah. I'm currently writing up an article, so it will be posted soon, insyaAllah.

Meanwhile, to all Muslim friends, blog readers and followers, here's something for you:

and here's something a senior of mine posted on facebook the other day, which I found to be very interesting. An English pronunciation test, which was first found on a British newspaper (no credits goes to me, evidently! I'm just sharing it with you..)

I take it you already know

Of tough and bough, and cough and dough?

Some may stumble, but not you,

On hiccough, thorough, slough and through?

So now you are ready, perhaps,

To learn a less familiar traps?

Beware of heard, a dreadful word

That looks like beard and sounds like bird.

And dead, it's said like bed not bead;

For goodness' sake, don't call it deed!

Watch out for meat and great and threat.

(They rhyme with suite and straight and debt.)

A moth is not a moth in mother,

Nor both in bother, broth in brother.

Can you pronounce the bold-ed words correctly?

If so, hurrah for you!

If not, check the dictionary for further explanation.

Haha, enjoy.!

Hope you enjoyed that. I had. ^^

May Allah bless

Count Your Blessings!

2010-10-21T16:18:00.000+08:00

I did not go to my practical clinic session today. I had a headache. Some sort of fever, and very runny nose. It's been on and of for a while, around ten days, perhaps. But some days are indeed worse than others. Well, today seems like one of the bad days...

With my head pounding, it gets me thinking of the days. The days when I am healthy and energetic. Well, looking back, I feel bad. Because I often forget to thank ALlah for the many days I am well. I did not utilize the time He gave me being healthy, to its maximum. Caught guilty, indeed.

In a way, although being sick is not nice, it serves as a sharp reminder. A reminder to utilize time to the fullest. A reminder, to count your blessings, and really thank The Most Gracious for them. A reminder, that we are indeed so fragile, and so weak, that we do really need Allah at every step of the way.

I'm reminded of a hadeeth (not the exact translation):

Remember five before five: the times you are healthy, before you are sick. The times you are young, before old. When you are rich, before you are poor. The times you are free, before you are busy. And life, before your death.

I actually have a lot to do...just to reflect for a while. Hoping for your du'as.

Going back to my piles of assignments and study (exam is coming up!).

May Allah bless. Assalamualaikum...

Jamuan Raya... Do forgive me!

2010-10-07T23:00:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum....

I didn't go. so sorry to let you guys down. I know, it is indeed the last year we'll enjoy Hari Raya together as students, hence the last jamuan Raya as a class, too. But can't go. Because to me it didn't seem right.

Lasting memories..
Thanks a lot everyone!
Love u all, for HIS sake...

Yeah, it does not seem right. To my principles, at least. Of what I understand of how Allah allows me to deal with different genders. Yes, I know, my views might be rigid. Yet this is what I hold on to, since I was in school. What I try to uphold, despite failing to do so, many times these years in university.

What is it that I try to hold on to? That Allah s.w.t.'s words "do not come near zina" entails me to limit my communication with the opposite gender. No, not that I cannot be friends with men, but I try to deal with men, when required. This does not mean that I don't care what happens to my classmates of the different gender. I do care. But it means limiting unnecessary talks, discussions, and laughter. This is how I understand, from my teachers and parents, since form 3. This, is where I learn and draw my own guideline to my social rules.

As I said, I failed so many times already. No one else's fault but mine, of course. The chatterbox who enjoys chatting to people, and laugh quite often, too. Yet I tried my hardest to stay true to this principle. Truth be told, each time I realized I went way overboard (in my own view) I was sad. Really sad.

Thus I decide not to come. Not because I care not. Not because of the many loads of assignments (oh, I know, you have as much as I do, if not more!). I love all of you, a lot. I wish to spend time with you guys too, share and build up memories of the times we have together as classmates. But to me the Jamuan is against my principles, and I believe that Allah does not allow me to be part of it. I have so many faults, that I dare not pile them up, and get Allah angry.

Forgive me! and I love you all, and I pray, that Allah will give all of us, you and me, happiness and blessings, here and in the next life.

Let us try our fullest to live the way he wants, and love HIM, above all else.

May ALlah bless!

Remember Them??

2010-09-22T21:05:00.001+08:00

Reminded. About them again. I had wanted to do so much, but sometimes time just keep flying by. So now I managed to wirte something, alhamdulillah... for me to remind MYSELF, first of all, and also for you. For us to ACT, not just talk. As a brother once said... let's walk the talk. Yes, as you have seen from the picture below, let us remember them. The Palestinians, and the siege imposed on them.

On Gaza crisis:

"it's far beyond humanitarian. It's much more serious. You can address a humanitarian crisis with medicines and food; this is far more serious. It's a crisis of the economy first of all -- people are very poor. It's a crisis of the institutions and it's a crisis of the infrastructure. This requires years to fix." - Filippo Grandi, commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA)

Don't forget them. Not now, when we are happy celebrating Eid (still). Not when we are blessed with happiness. Neither when we are busy with our day-to-day activities of classes or work. Nor when we are faced with difficulty and challenges. For in reality, they are suffering more. So much more. Do your part!

1. Boycott!!

- movies (Hollywood ones, esoecially)

- Fast food chains (there are listed elsewhere)

- Bags, clothes, accessories

- Food and other stuff associated with Zionists

2. Pray!! (Du'aa)

Pray for these innocent kids... who face difficulty every day,
studying with the lack of papers... of books.

Pray for the toddlers who are forced to stay thirsty due to the lack of clean water

Pray for the babies, who lost their fathers and mothers in bombings and prisons

Pray for them, the Palestinians.

That they may be freed from the open prison of endless walls

They are human beings too, with dreams, families, love, and a hope for peace

Most importantly, they are our brothers and sisters.

Pray for the safety of the third Masjid, Masjidil Aqsa

To be safe from the hands of Zionists

To be sturdy through the deceit and lies

The bombs, and tunnels they plan.

3. Spread the words.

The fight against Zionists, and the cruelty faced by Palestinians which is blatantly, inhumanely done. Write. Tell your friends. Organize campaigns in your area.

4. DONATE! what you can.

Use the money you usually spend elsewhere (for Starbuck coffee or the movies, perhaps?) and donate to humanitarian aid fighting to end the Palestinian siege. You can donate to:

Lifeline 4 Gaza: Second Freedom Flotilla

Account name : “TABUNG PALESTIN HALUAN”
Account number : 5644 9020 8528
Bank : Maybank Berhad

Eid Mubarak Everyone!!

2010-09-13T11:03:00.000+08:00

To the followers and blog readers...
Eid Mubarak! (sorry for the late wish)

and forgive me for the lateness in updates, and any other mistakes I made.
btw... feel free to comment so that I can improve my writing.

may Allah bless you all....

~humayra_solehah~

Favorite Hadeeth

2010-09-05T23:14:00.002+08:00

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight is already 27th Ramadhan. How time zoom past, so very fast. Tonight is another night.. another night to at, date with The Creator. To search for the special night that is better than 1000 months, lailatul qadr. not only that, but also to utilize the last few days of Ramadhan to its maximum, and attempt to gain its full benefit.

Today I would just like to share a lovely hadeeth, regarding our relationship to ALlah. Indeed, it is one of my favorite hadeeth, for it shows how much Allah, our Creator, Benefactor and Sustainer loves us, even though we had done so many mistakes. He loves us, and is willing to be close to us, if only we attempt at getting close to Him.

Hadeeth Qudsi:

I treat my servant as he hopes that I would treat him. I am with him whenever he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My 'heart'; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering far greater than that gathering; if he draws near Me a hand's span, I draw near to him an arm's length; if he draws near Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fanthom's length; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.

(Bukhari, Muslim)

a superb hadeeth, isn't it. So why hesitate? why is it so hard to take the first step towards gaining Allah's love? InsyaAllah, He will be there for you, if only you make ready a place for Him in your heart. The highest, most important spot in your heart.

Let us all attempt, seriously try to ensure, that that top, priority spot in our heart, belongs to Him. So that we love Him, more than all else. Yes, only He deserves it, no one else does.

Try aiming for that, especially for the few days left of Ramadhan. Let's be true servants, loving Him, above all else.

May Allah bless.

Technology Anyone??

2010-08-28T11:12:00.007+08:00

Just thought of this...

Technology is nice, makes a lot of things easy for us. But then again...

Now we need to rely on handphones to call our friends, cause we almost never memorize thir numbers.

Now we keep in touch via emails and social networking sites, but they require so little effort, and less personal, too, compared to letters.

Now every spare second we have, we spend in front of laptops and PCs, what happen to other hobbies and interests?

Now we can go to so many places and not get lost, due to GPS and all, but I'm very much afraid, soon we would surely be lost without them.

Sometimes technology helps. But at times, they make things too easy, that we use our brain less.

Ever wondered, what would happen if our handphone is lost?

Now would we survive if the laptop crashed?

What about if the earth's natural resources are finished? Would we survive then? What would we do with our time? (that is spent so much in front of computers, play station, i-pads and i-phones, handphones...)

Is technology everything to you?

Will we be able to lead a normal life without technology?

BEWARE if you think you can't.

Be careful if you depend on technology, rely solely on technology.

For you've to be careful, that reliance you have, might be more than reliance to the Creator of man

The owner of all knowledge, including technology.

I'm not an anti-tech, but one does have to find ways to navigate life, so that technology doesn't become everything. It is alright if Islam be everything for us, and we will perform outstanding in life. But if, instead of Allah, we rely on technology more - then beware. For if technology breaks down, or disaster strikes, we will break down as well. Check our thoughts and iman, which matters more in ourselves. If you hold on to technology only as another tool in life to become a better servant to Allah, then it is alright. But if you see that everything MUST revolve around technology, then do re-think and set your mindsetting again, for Allah can take all the superb technology away from is in a matter of seconds if He wants to. He had proven that He can do so, again and again.

And how many a generation We have destroyed before them, who were stronger in power than them, and (when Our Torment came) they ran for a refuge in the land! Could they find any place of refuge (for them to save themselves from destruction)? [Qaf: 36]

Nations of the past have been destroyed because they defy Allah's orders, and made partners to Allah.  Never think that with technology, we are getting so advance, that we can rely on technology alone.  For no matter what, Allah is always more powerful.  No matter what, at the end of the day, mankind still needs Allah to turn to, for his problems, for guidance.  Most importantly, at the end, we will still return to Him.

~random thoughts.. but i guess, it is worth to ponder. and do find ways to exercise the brain, though. By memorizing the Quran, studying and learning new things [learn new skills, try variety of things too, for they sharpen numerous skills - not just sitting in front of the laptop]. Be thankful for the benifits of technology, but don't get carried away with them. On top of that, do re-check our heart. Is Allah at the top list, or technology, or.. other people?

sorry for the un-organized post. first i decided to make this short, but it suddenly expanded, and expanded some more...

May Allah bless...

pic source:
1. http://www.usfst.com/media/focus-area-images/FSTUS/issues-9-1/Technology_management_LG_FOC.png
2. http://www.usyd.edu.au/images/content/cws/news/newsevents/articles/2005/sep/petra.jpeg

Assignment and Reflection

2010-08-13T20:46:00.001+08:00

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful,

A short post this time round... but something, I hope, that would be worthwhile to ponder, process, and condition our hearts to.

I was writing my assignment regarding patient-practitioner relationship. I typed in: "A vital ingredient in any successful relationship is trust..." and suddenly thought of the most important relationship of my life. Not only mine, but everyone's, actually. Our relationship with our Creator and Sustainer, Allah.

Hence a vital ingredient of success in our relationship with Allah is trust. Trust, that He is the One, who we can always rely on, ever second of the day. Trust, that Allah, with His never-ending love for His servants, would never give us any tests we are unable to face. Trust, that Allah is always ready to assist us through everything that happen in our sometimes-complicated life. Last but not least, trust that He will always protect His servants, and He is the best protector at all times.

Let us check our hearts, and question ourselves... how is our relationship with Allah? Do we trust Him? Do we trust Allah most, or do we trust people more than Him? Do we rely more on our parents to grant us happiness, or do we rely on Allah to give happiness? Or... do we hope for happiness more from that special someone in our lives? Who do we hope for security and protection? Do we hope He will save us from harm, or do we trust more on the locks on our doors, grills on our windows, or that CCTV down in the hallway?

Let us instill this trust in ourselves, just like the Prophet and his companions had in the past. When Abu Bakr r.a gave all of his money for Allah's sake, to be spent for the preparation of a battle between the kuffar and the Muslims, the Prophet PBUH asked him: "what have you left for your wife and children?" what is his answer? I left Allah and his angels to protect my family". This is the answer from a true believer. His trust in Allah is so much, that he leave his family solely to Allah.

Alhamdulillah, we manage to reach this stage. Entering into this factory called Ramadhan. A valuable opportunity to be processed to become better people, better servants to our Lord, and increase our sensitivity to the poor and needy. Let us use the opportunity to be in this Ramadhan University, to learn to trust Allah more. Condition our hearts to improve our relationship with Him... so that His redha will be with us, until we meet Him in the next life...

Ramadhan Kareem everyone! may this Ramadhan brings all of us closer to Allah, and increase our imaan and taqwa. Welcome to the month full of barakah and rahmah!

pics credits to: http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/ , http://iloveallahandrasulullah.blogspot.com/, http://theultimatestanding.blogspot.com/

Books and Me

2010-08-07T22:04:00.006+08:00

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, most Merciful

Source: bookshelves.com

When I was younger, way back in Primary school, everyday, one lucky student would have to share regarding the book he/she was reading. Be it fiction or non-fiction. My love for books tripled then, i think.. Another contributing factor is the fact that my classmates and I have the opportunity to go to the school library and borrow books, each week, plus every morning's half hour reading session. There, I learnt to enjoy English fiction books, and numerous non-fiction books as well, regarding sports and astronomy.

Yet.. my love for books did not began there. A huge contributing factor to my reading passion are my parents. They spent so much of their money on books. Be it school books, story books, encyclopaedias, Islamic books, seerah of the Prophet and his companions... the list goes on.

Now as the wheel of time turns, my love for books did not diminish. Perhaps they change, in types of books, and also the time available to spend on my favorite pastime. But I still try to find time to read, and to go to the bookstore every once in a while to increase my stock of books.

Why share of books all of a sudden? Actually, I just want to share a great book I am currently reading: Bumi Cinta. Yep... another book by the author Habiburrahman el Shirazy. But to me, this book is different from all his other books, for it tells of the challenges of Nafs when being a Muslim is gharib (strange). When holding on to faith is scorned upon, and when free mixing, intermingling of different genders is a norm. Another bonus point is, this book also tells of a place I've never been to before, Russia. So my love to see different places and my imagination travels along with the characters. I'll try write a full review of the book when I finished reading it, insyaAllah..

The Sealed Nectar is another book I am reading... I had read the Malay version years ago, but being a kid at the time, I think I did skip some parts, and read others. Plus it was also a couple of years ago, and I have not read it since. I am reading this, because I feel that I need to refresh myself of the most loved servant of Allah, the Prophet PBUH's life story. Yeah, I learnt of his life ever since small. But this time, I try to read, and learn to implement his life story to my own. Also to increase my own love to the person who sacrificed his life for our sake, to spread Islam. So far I've read the intro, 1st and 2nd chapter. I hope I can finish this in Ramadhan or Syawal, insyaAllah..

I haven't started on this book yet, although the target is to read it so that I appreciate the Quran more, and to ready myself for the Ramadhan. But I'm hoping to find time to start soon, insyaAllah.. Al-Quran is Allah's love letters to His servants, so we should all try our best to delve into understanding and appreciating the Quran. A Mu'min's heart should be shaken every time he hears of Allah's name, and much more when al-Quran is recited. But we are so far from the Quran, at times. In our day to day activities, in our interactions and emotions. Trying to get my heart closer to Allah and His love letters, hope this book will help.

Oh yes... I'm also currently reading heaps of journals, covering numerous topics, in order to do my proposal. I feel like I enjoyed those too, for the more I read, the more curious I become. Alhamdulillah, I found a new passion for journals, now. (^_^)

Well, that's it for now... I might write some book review if time permits, insyaAllah.. What books are you reading currently? May all that we read increase our imaan and humbleness to Allah, al-'Aleem... He knows so much, and our knowledge is still so little...

** Upon writing this, I suddenly remembered the song: Afraid to Read by Dawud Wharnsby Ali. So... I decide to share it here. A simple song with deep meanings, indeed. Enjoy!

Wallahu'alam... May Allah bless..

Ramadhan: a Time for Revival or Survival?

2010-08-07T21:51:00.002+08:00

This is something a friend of mine shared in her FB… hopefully you'll find it useful, as I had for my own preparation and mind setting for this coming Ramadhan. Three days to go… are we ready??

As in years past, the beloved yet unexpected guest of millions, "Holy Ramadan" once again enters our lives. Muslims are filled with great joy in anticipation of welcoming him. Yet to one unaccustomed, it would almost seem as if Muslims had never met him before!

All of a sudden, our new-found love for this guest causes us to radically change our daily schedules and habits to entertain him. Our Mosques mysteriously overflow with worshippers, chapters of the Quran are heard chanted till the wee hours of the morning accompanied by a hail of cries, and our social gatherings and feasts become livelier than ever before - all these sacrifices made to honor this special and 'holy' guest from Allah.

Isn't it interesting and ironic that while he is among us, for a full 30 days, we starve, read numerous articles on do's and don'ts of treating this guest, avoid watching TV in his presence, and sing songs or Nasheeds of joy, yet we fail to understand him and the mission of his visit? For some odd reason, this same "Holy Ramadan" becomes a stranger to us on the 1st of Shawwal!

Let the Scrubbing Begin!

What many of us forget is that this guest accompanies a deep purpose and responsibility. It is as Muhammad al-Shareef notes:

"Whenever a guest comes to our home, we prepare in advance for his arrival by vacuuming the carpet, dusting the shelves, and scrubbing the sinks. We should do this for our guest of Ramadan as well. But the scrubbing should not just be of our physical surroundings, it should include the scrubbing of our sins!"

Ever Wonder Why The 'Change' And 'Blessings' Don't Last?

Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi explains in Let Us Be Muslims:

"The greatest mistake we commit is to regard the outward shape of acts of prayer and fasting as the real 'Ibadah (worship) and we suffer from the delusion that whoever just fulfills these requirements performs the 'Ibadah of Allah. Just as physical strength cannot be obtained from the bread until it is fully digested, the spiritual power cannot be obtained from fasting until the person allows Ramadan's purpose to permeate one's heart and mind and dominate one's thought, intention and deed."

Ramadan - A Tool Of Transformation And Month Of Sharing

In addition to the indispensable personal benefits of fasting, Ramadan is a time for social awareness. As Hammudah 'Abd al-Ati describes in Islam in Focus:

"No sociologist or historian can say that there has been at any period of history anything comparable to this powerful institution of Islam: Fasting in the month of Ramadan. People have been crying throughout the ages for acceptable belonging, for unity, for brotherhood, for equality, but how echoless their voices have been, and how very little success they have met."

No Time To Hibernate!

As Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick eloquently explains in Ramadan in History:

"Ramadan is actually a time of increased activity wherein the believer, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah. The Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) nine Ramadans were filled with decisive events, such as Jihad, and he left us a shining example of sacrifice and submission to Allah. Throughout Islamic history, most of the significant battles were won in this month!"

Living Taqwa - Moving Dead Hearts To Action!

Quran [2:183] describes attainment of Taqwa to be the real purpose of Fasting. But, what is Taqwa?

Sayyid 'Umar ibn al-Khattab: "A person with the quality of Taqwa is like a person walking with caution on a thorny road. The way he would take care to save his clothes from getting entangled in the thorns, so is a person with Taqwa conscious of every action he does (for fear of falling into wrong)."

Sayyid 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Taqwa means fearing Allah, acting in accordance with the Quran, contentment with whatever little you have, and preparing for the day of departure (death)."

Imam al-Ghazali narrates: "Whoever fears something (in the creation of Allah) runs away from it, whereas whoever fears Allah runs to Him (out of love and obedience)!"

Let us all begin to live a life of Taqwa this Ramadan to avoid the 'thorns' that come our way in the form of worldly temptations in the media and society in general.

Intensifying Our Love And Study Of The Quran

It is said when you love someone, you would know every little thing he or she says, likes and dislikes. How can we claim to love Allah, yet know very little about His message and gift to us? Ramadan offers the rare opportunity for an intense reflection on the message of the Quran. It is the source of a constant revolution in the lives of millions of those who possess a living heart, as Allah says, "Indeed in this (Quran) there is remembrance for those who have a living heart, listen attentively and are awake to taking heed." [Qaaf: 37]

It is reported that Imam al-Zuhri would say about Ramadan, "It is recitation of the Quran and feeding of people." Similarly, 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) would recite from the pages of the Quran starting at the break of day at dawn in Ramadan until the sun had risen.

This Was The Spirit Of Ramadan

"This was the spirit of Ramadan that enabled our righteous forefathers to face seemingly impossible challenges. It was a time of intense activity, spending the day outside and the night in prayer while calling upon Allah for His forgiveness. Today, the Muslim world is faced with drought, military aggression, widespread corruption and tempting materialism. Surely we are in need of believers who can walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (pbuh), the illustrious Sahabah, and leaders like Tariq ibn Ziyad, Salahuddin and the countless heroes of Islam. Surely we are in need of the Muslims whose fast is complete and not just a source of hunger and thirst. May Allah raise up a generation of Muslims who can carry Islam to all corners of the globe in a manner that befits our age."

a passionate reminder from Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick.

FYI: xiexie to my friend Khairiah (who share via email abt this)

See You There!

2010-08-05T12:09:00.000+08:00

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful

Assalamualaikum wbt... A short post this time round, just to advertise...

Let's all go and see what's out there, shall we?

Yeah, so many times, we think that RM 10.00 and a whole day (of your holiday, mind you!) is too much to sacrifice. But then again, this is only so little, if we compare the sacrifices that the Palestinians have to make, nor the sacrifices that the Prophet's (PBUH) and his companions had made for Islam.

Just one day... spent in order to gain knowledge and increase faith. Is it not worth it? So.. come on, guys.. let's see what knowledge is in store for us to gain out there. Hopefully, the program will not only increase your knowledge, but also your imaan as well. See you in Masjid Wilayah, insyaAllah...

For more info, visit:

http://haluansiswa.haluan.org.my/index.php/component/jcalpro/view/99/1

Or contact: 013-6284940

till then.. prepare yourselves for Ramadhan, and take care of yourselves, your faith, iman and amal. (^_^)

|| A Prayer, a Hope ||

2010-08-05T01:11:00.001+08:00

O Allah...

I am trying my best,

to trust You, and only You

to overcome the doubts in my mind

to shed light in the smoky haze

Perhaps because I did not trust You enough

or seek Your guidance enough

or maybe did not try as hard as i should

to overcome the predicament

O Allah..

Forgive me when I whine..

Forgive my mountain-load of sins..

When I did not use my time right

When I did not take my responsibilities seriously

When I did not thank You for all the blessings and gifts You showered me

and most of all, when I failed to become a good servant to You

Lord of all Creations

Dear Lord...

This servant of yours is currently here

In the end of one road, trying to chose her path

So help her make the best decision

For her future, her faith and her happiness

Bring her away from indecision and doubts

Verily only Your Pleasure does she hope to seek

Reminder to self:

Verily at the end of hardship is relief!

Don't despair, although currently things seem so difficult.

<Mode: currently busy with thesis proposals, assignments and clinics... But this thick cloud of doubts simply refuses to go away..>

I'm Back! (^_~)

2010-07-20T23:54:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Alhamdulillah, I'm back after a long (or.. really long) period of hiatus. Back with a renewed spirit. Where have I been these past months? No, I was not too busy, nor was I at a place void of any internet connection. I went on a month-long practical training after the final exams, then enjoyed the rest of my holiday with my family.

The truth is... I haven't been updating because I've been.. well, soul searching, I guess. A principle I hold when writing on this blog is, that I write, when I have a purpose, and something valuable to share. Which is why when my heart is not set right, when the level of my imaan is low, I decide to remain silent. It is not that I don't want to write, but rather, I was unable to write then. Perhaps it is because of the principle, or just because, I can't give what I don't have.

Well, alhamdulillah, here I am again. Sometimes, it is good to step back for a while, and analyze yourself, what you had done, and your motives. At times you also need a friend to remind you, which alhamdulillah, a close friend of mine had.

When you feel all alone in this world
And there's nobody to count your tears
Just remember, no matter where you are
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you carrying a monster load
And you wonder how far you can go
With every step on that road that you take
Allah knows
Allah knows

No matter what, inside or out
There's one thing of which there's no doubt
Allah knows
Allah knows
And whatever lies in the heavens and the earth
Every star in this whole universe
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you find that special someone
Feel your whole life has barely begun
You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you gaze with love in your eyes
Catch a glimpse of paradise
And you see your child take the first breath of life
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you lose someone close to your heart
See your whole world fall apart
And you try to go on but it seems so hard
Allah knows
Allah knows

You see we all have a path to choose
Through the valleys and hills we go
With the ups and the downs, never fret never frown
Allah knows
Allah knows

Every grain of sand,
In every desert land, He knows.
Every shade of palm,
Every closed hand, He knows.
Every sparkling tear,
On every eyelash, He knows.
Every thought I have,
And every word I share, He knows.
Allah knows

Yeah, trying to climb back up, once you're down.. it ain't easy. Never will be, either. Yet Allah is always there. He knows the efforts you put in. He knows that you've tried your best. It does not matter if your best, is not as good as others are, nor does it matter that your friends do not care. But He knows... and He loves people who try to get closer to him, and try to be better servants to Allah, the Almighty.

Today, I would only like to share a really short story, for us all to reflect upon. As I was going out of my apartment for a bit of shopping, I fumbled with the keys and turn the lock on the front door. A thought strikes me:

"These simple tasks that we do every day, like locking the door, turning the door knob, tying our shoe laces... these little things, actually involve so many complex mechanisms. The feedback from our brain to the muscles, the amount of acetylcholine released by the muscles, the pumping systems of the neurotransmitters... and the list goes on. Yet our body still does all this small, insignificant, but complex things with such precision! Indeed, Allah does love us a lot, to allow us to do so much, with so little thinking to accompany the tasks. He had made life so much simpler than what it could be, if everything was made difficult (erm.. i know, the sentence sounds weird..).

Allah loves us a lot, you and me. So why should we hesitate to put His love, above all else, too? Why should we neglect to put much effort into getting acquainted with Him, and submit ourselves fully to His orders? "

So.. this is just a fragment of my thought then, decide to share because I care, and to remind myself too, lest I forget, in the near future.

O Allah, set our hearts to remain firm on Your deen, keep us close to You, until the end~

Press Release LL4G Crisis Unit

2010-05-31T19:00:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE

Monday 31st May 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Government of Malaysia is urged to condemn Israeli raid on the Lifeline4Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla

Latest Development on the Lifeline4Gaza Flotilla;

1. As have been widely publicised, the Lifeline4Gaza flotilla has come under attack by the Israeli armed forces. Israeli aggressors have boarded the capital ship Mavi Marmara and open fire resulting in 3 volunteers dead and more than 30 others seriously injured. Mavi Marmara is one of the 7 strong flotilla enroute to Gaza to deliver the much awaited material aids to the besieged people of Gaza.

2. Twelve volunteers including media representatives from Malaysia is on board the capital ship Mavi Marmara. Their participation is purely humanitarian in nature.

3. All the objectives and movement of the flotilla is in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009) and all relevant maritime regulations. Resolution 1860 stated among others:

a) Appeal for deliverance of humanitarian aid to Gaza including food, fuel and medical assistance.

b) Urge efforts to ease passage and other mechanisms for the unimpeded deliverance of aids.

c) Call for all nations to support such efforts at the international level to alleviate the dire humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza

d) condemns acts of agression and attacks on civilians and all forms of acts of terrorism.

Every Malaysian participants in the flotilla are holding fast to the international regulations and laws and vow to uphold the goodname of Malaysia and our national aspirations.

4. The flotilla is laden with 10,000 tonnes of material aid. Over 540 volunteers are on board Mavi Marmara, including Parliamentarians, academics, journalists, scholars, an infant less than a year old and a senior citizen over 80 years old. No weapons were brought in this flotilla even for self defense which testifies to the wholly humanitarian nature of the mission.

5. Based on these facts it is very clear indeed that Israel has violated international laws. Whatmore the raid took place in international waters and on an unarmed aid ship on a humanitarian mission. Israeli rash action deserve a worldwide condemnation in the strongest possible term.

6. We appeal to the Government of Malaysia under the premiership of YAB Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Paduka Rosmah Mansor in her capacity as patron for the Palestinian Aid Donations Drive to issue a statement condemning Israel for the murderous aggression on a peaceful flotilla whose objective is to deliver aid to the beseiged people of Gaza.

7. We call for the UN to convene an emergency assembly to pass a strong resolution against Israel and to summon Israeli leaders to the international court of justice for crime against humanity.

8. We call upon the Malaysians from all walks of life to express their utmost concern of the grave situation and to be ready to respond to any need for action and calls for our support in dealing with the incident.

9. We appeal to all political leaders, NGOs and the Malaysia people to join together in coming to the aid of the volunteers.

10. We also call upon every strata of the society to continue to supplicate and pray for the success of this mission and the safety of the volunteers from further untoward incidence.

Zulkifli Mohd Nani

Chairman

Crises Management Team for LL4G Malaysia

source:

http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/2010/05/31/press-release-cmt-ll4g-1-en/

For those who care about peace, for those who still have hearts to be angry towards the Israel, and for humanity, if YOU care, please PRAY for those on board the ship!! Pray for the end of this massacre.

Chasing The Dream

2010-04-16T23:51:00.001+08:00

All of us have dreams. Dreams for the future, dreams of happiness and success.

Some are able to chase these dreams and are able to make them reality. while others dream on, yet never worked towards obtaining them. Just like the popular Malaysian folk-tale of Mat Jenin. Some others chase their dreams, but are not quite there yet. Or, just was not able to make the dream come true.

I would like to bring the readers into the life of a figure skater (ice skating). A figure skater, whose dream is to be the best in his field, needs to put in a lot of hard work to make that dream come true. He usually trains on ice every day, or six days a week, spending up to 6 hours (or more!) perfecting his skills. Even after training on ice, in order to stay agile and have good balance, he needs to go to dance or ballet classes. Sounds like hard work? Yes, indeed. He needs to sacrifice time, money and his youth, to focus on this aim. Only those who really wish to succeed, and strive hard enough, will. By the way, all the hard work he puts in, will be judged only on the rink, for less than 3 minutes (short program) and 4 minutes and a half (long program). That's it. But it takes brain, brawn and real work to be the best, putting everything into those few minutes.

Yet the outcome, of course, if he is good enough, and lucky enough, the gold medal might just be his. The video up there, is one of the figure skaters who compete during the recent Winter Olympics. He obtained the bronze medal, although I personally enjoy his skating more. Both on skills and artistic wise. Hence I decided to put his video up (^_^).

Anyway... that is just one of the many stories of chasing dreams. I am sure you can think of so much more. Decide to share regarding ice skating because I enjoy skating a lot. But let us reflect back on The Dream.

There is one dream that so many of us want to achieve. Even the worst of man (if he is a believer, that is), deep down, still wish for. That is, The Dream for everlasting happiness in the next life, in paradise (Jannah). Yet how many really work hard towards the dream? Or should I say.. towards the ultimate dream? Not just letting it become a far-away dream, but a goal, and aim to strive for.

And surely Paradise - it is the goal! (al-Naziat:41)

Jannah, which, Allah the Most High had told us, the best place to be, the place where each person can have land and goods as much as this world and more. Allah said in the Quran:

But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness that their portion is Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom they say: "Why this is what we were fed with before" for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions (pure and holy); and they abide therein (for ever). (al-Baqarah: 25)

and also...

Say: shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord with rivers flowing beneath; Therein is their eternal home; with spouses purified and the good pleasure of Allah, for in Allah's sight are (all) His servants. (ali Imran:15)

There are so many other verses of the Quran like the once above. Many more beautiful ones too. Is Jannah not the most wonderful place to be?

Yet... how many of us had done what the figure skater did to win his medal? How many of us strives our very best, day and night, to obtain Allah's pleasure and His reward, Jannah? Isn't Jannah a much greater reward, more worth working hard for, than the most wanted gold medal on earth? Or for the matter, is it not more prestigious than the Nobel Prize people are so in awe of? Is it not worth sacrificing for?

Yes, Jannah is indeed very special. Hence, in order to dream of passing through the gates of Jannah, we must be well equipped. If a traveler travels to an alien country, he would first prepare passports, obtain a map of the place, surf around for a good place to stay, discuss with his friends and family... and so on. Well, if we want to set foot on the Paradise, we are also embarking on a long journey towards gaining Allah's pleasures. This journey, of course, needs plenty of provisions. Without having any provisions, how are we able to weave our way towards this dream and goal of ours?

Unfortunately, so many people dream of the paradise, saying that they want to enter the paradise, without willing to sacrifice. Without wanting to collect the provisions. Or even more doomed, those who dream, but not even begin the journey in the first place.

Vie with one another in seeking to attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness; and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for those who have attained to faith in God and His messengers: such is the bounty of Allah which He grants unto whomever He wills -for Allah is limitless in His great bounty. (al-Hadid: 21)

Those who did not put in any effort in finding Allah's pleasure and working hard to obtain Jannah, will simply drop out of the journey. For along the journey, Allah had set so many trials and tribulations. Allah will demand us to sacrifice and work, in order to attain this ultimate dream.

Indeed Allah has purchased from the Believers their lives and their possessions, promising them Paradise, in return (at-Taubah: 111)

If you notice, I had interweaved the dream of Jannah and attaining Allah's pleasure several times throughout this article. It is because the two is so closely related. Paradise can only be attained when we seek Allah's pleasure, and when Allah's pleasure is gained, we will indeed be granted Jannah, or paradise.

Is this your ultimate dream as well? Have you done enough in order to attain Allah's pleasure and his reward, the Paradise? What are the provisions you bring along?

I'll end this post here, for us to ponder... to dream, and work to make the dream become a reality.

That's it for this post, i guess. Actually, this discussion can be continued so much more, but I think the post is long enough as it is. InsyaAllah, I will post more points next time, insyaAllah.. Reference for this post is from: In The Early Hours by Ust Khurram Murad.

Let's Break The Siege!!

2010-04-08T21:18:00.001+08:00

Palestine will be free, insyaAllah...

Despite the hardships that had been piling on their people for the past decades.

Because they keep fighting and have faith in Allah.

Also because there are people all over the world who care.

Helping them, in whatever ways they can.

Are you game to be part of the helpers? Or do you just want to sit back and relax?

If so, you may have a good time in this world, but in the future, in the hereafter, if Allah asks you,

"What have you done for your brothers and sisters in Palestine who are in distress?"

How are you going to answer?

Be part of those do do their bit (even if not much, at least, do what we can do)

Contribute, boycott, and raise awareness..

Currently, a fund is being raised to help the Palestinians in distress. Here is one of the articles regarding it:

Turkish Relief Foundation (IHH) and Free Gaza Movement plan to break years of Israel siege on Gaza land through sea this time.

The campaign that is expected to start on April 20, is named “last port is freedom”.

IHH said in a statement sent to World Bulletin, “the Flotilla is planned to contain 20 boats, which some of them will be cargo boats.”

Along with Free Gaza Movement in UK and IHH in Turkey, organizations from USA, Malaysia, Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Venezuella are expected to join the flotilla by sending boats, the statement said.

Boats will be laden with building supplies, generators and educational materials that Israel halts from entering Gaza since their brutal attack on the civilian population a year ago.

The many passenger boats will carry members of Parliament from countries around the world as well as high-profile journalists and human rights activists.

The ship that will set off from Istanbul aims to reach Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea. There are no international legal obstacles to prevent ships to go to Gaza through the sea.

“Aid campaign”

The relief foundation Chairman Bulent Yildirim said the aid campaign aims to sail with 20 ships and as IHH, plans to buy 5 ships.

Yildirim said they continue to research for the purchase. ” We continue talks for the purchase of 3 ships, looking for ships in Greece and other countries.”

IHH launched an aid campaign for the purchase of ships.

“But we have no power to do this alone. We launch an aid campaign to get these ships. We want everyone to contribute a small share, expect donations from our charitable people,” he said.

Pointing out to the embargo in Gaza since 2006, Yildirim said, “We, as non-governmental organizations take the civilian initiative. We demand to end this embargo. Launched in December 2009, our convoy did break the siege, the issue was brought to the world agenda once more. We will break the embargo from the sea this time. Hopefully after this move, states willl act as well.”

Source: http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/2010/03/06/wise-11/

Do your bit.
to find out more, visit:
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/what-you-can-do/donation/
http://haluanpalestin.haluan.org.my/

Free Gaza international: http://www.freegaza.org/

Nasyeed: Allah Knows

2010-04-05T11:58:00.000+08:00

Browsing through my nasyeed folder. Stumbled upon this song. Haven't heard it in a while... Decide to share it here, although perhaps many of you have heard it already. May Allah bless

Title: Allah Knows
By: Zain Bikha and Dawud Wharnsby Ali

When you feel all alone in this world
And there's nobody to count your tears

Just remember, no matter where you are

Allah knows

When you carrying a monster load

And you wonder how far you can go

With every step on that road that you take

Allah knows

CHORUS

No matter what, inside or out

There's one thing of which there's no doubt

Allah knows

And whatever lies in the heavens and the earth

Every star in this whole universe

Allah knows

When you find that special someone

Feel your whole life has barely begun

You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone

Allah knows

When you gaze with love in your eyes

Catch a glimpse of paradise

And you see your child take the first breath of life

Allah knows

CHORUS

When you lose someone close to your heart

See your whole world fall apart

And you try to go on but it seems so hard

Allah knows

You see we all have a path to choose

Through the valleys and hills we go

With the ups and the downs, never fret never frown

Allah knows

CHORUS (x2)

BRIDGE:

Every grain of sand,

In every desert land, He knows.

Every shade of palm,

Every closed hand, He knows.

Every sparkling tear,

On every eyelash, He knows.

Every thought I have,

And every word I share, He knows.

Allah knows

No matter what, Allah knows..
smile! (^_^)

may Allah bless

When the Sea Gets too Rough...

2010-04-04T00:08:00.005+08:00

Assalamualaikum wbt..

it's rough out here..
may our anchor of faith and strong sails keep us steady

Ever get to a point in your life

where you just need to stop?

When you feel that the going gets too rough,

and you can't even take another step forward?

I have.

Ain't nice, at all.

When you attempt to push yourself,

Trying to tell yourself that no matter what,

At least He is there.

Trying to smile

Even though all you felt like doing is cry

most of all..

Trying to teach yourself to trust

To have faith in what Allah have in store for the future

The sea gets too rough, at times.

And the anchor you usually have falters

The brave font you put on

Can't withstand the wind forever.

Yet I've learnt one valuable thing through it all

That you have to keep on trying to revive the fighting spirit.

Try all your might,

And you'll find that He will guide you

Pray, read the Quran, do any other thing you think might help

I found strength in this..

and also suddenly, from a blog...

this entry

Alhamdulillah.. thank you Allah!

Miss them so much.. Hope walid will get better, and ummi remains strong.

So sorry that I am unable to go home and help out, though I want very much to do so.

The piles of assignments and stuff to study..

Note to self: no matter what, never lost hope in Allah. He will guide you through, insyaAllah...

May happiness be there, at the end of the tunnel
if not here, in the hereafter, insyaAllah..

Forgive me, if the post is a bit incoherent. Not in the best state to write anything now. Should have been doing my loads of clinical reports, but can't manage to concentrate..

May happiness be ours at the end.. Trying to stay positive. There will be rainbows at the end of rough storms rite? insyaALlah... Oh Allah... guide me to always remain in your blessings and redha..

What a Way to Spread Islam!

2010-04-01T20:35:00.001+08:00

Assalamualaikum everyone..

Forgive me for being quiet for a while. Loads of assignments to submit by the end of this week and the next. After that, the finals. Whew... time sure flies by fast.

Found this link by chance.

What a cool way to spread the deen. By aerosols and sprays. Br. Muhammad Ali spreads awareness of Islam via grafitti works. Here is one of them, which I love..

nice way to make people aware of Palestine issue.

each time someone pass by, he/she remembers..

here's another...

there are many others in the link I just gave, all of them nice, masyaAllah..

As Muslims, we need to be creative. Creative in fulfilling our obligations as a servant, and creative in spreading the words of Allah. I'd say, this man had indeed found an unusual way to do it.

Let us hope that all of us will remain consistent in this path towards HIM.

Life is short, so let us live life to the fullest, for the sake of the next life which will be permanent..

may Allah bless...

Lifeline 4 Gaza Concert: Break The Seige

2010-03-22T17:32:00.002+08:00

A concert by:
Soutul Harakah (indonesian nasyeed group): http://www.shoutulh arokah.com
Bro Muadz; http://www.facebook .com/profile. php?id=104680325 7
and introducing a new nasyeed group, Da'ei

Date: 26 March 2010
Venue: Masjid Wilayah, Jalan Duta

Tentative:

7.30PM: Maghrib Prayer at Masjid Wilayah & Solat Hajat

8.30PM: Isya Prayer at Masjid Wilayah

9.00PM: Concert starts

11.45PM: end

Yes, another charity concert for Gaza. But wait... what is so different in this concert compared to others? Let me enlighten you on where the money for this concert and collections will go to...

Lifeline 4 Gaza, or Talian Hayat Untuk Gaza as we read it in Bahasa Malaysia, is a collaborative effort between Malaysian NGOs to join an international campaign to break years of Israel siege on Gaza. We are working along with Free Gaza Movement who is based in Cyprus, IHH in Turkey, MERC and Kispa Indonesia, and other NGOs from USA, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Venezuella and many more. The fortilla is expected to depart Istanbul on 15th May 2010, comprising 20 ships and cargo boats to be laden with building supplies, generators, medical equipment and educational materials. They will sail through the Mediterranean Sea, carrying members of Parliament from countries around the world as well as high-profile journalists and human rights activists. Lets break the siege now, before it’s too late! For the Malaysian charter, the efforts are being carried out by collaborations of, among others, the following NGOs:

* HALUAN Palestin
* Palestine Centre for Excellence (PACE)
* Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
* Aqsa Syarif
* Pertubuhan Mawaddah Malaysia
* Viva Palestina Malaysia
* Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (MAPIM)

What are YOU waiting for??

For more info, log on to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=356136838341&ref=mf
or contact:
- lifeline4gazahs@ gmail.com
- http://www.lifeline 4gaza.org/
- Sdr Khalid Al-Walid: 0197341984
- Sdr Muhammad Zakiran Mahmud: 0199390304
- Sdr Anaqi Ahmad Salleh: 0135900750

Letter from A Christian to Muslim Women

2010-03-22T09:30:00.000+08:00

Assalamualaikum wbt..

I found this while browsing the internet. Read and ponder with your heart. And to those who sometimes grumble for the rules Allah gave us to obey - verily those rules are there because Allah knows what is best for his servants. Also, be thankful that we are Muslims, for without Islam,we are nothing, nothing at all...

March 7th, 2007
By Joanna Francis
Writer, Journalist - USA

Between the Israeli assault on Lebanon and the Zionist “war on terror,” the Muslim world is now center stage in every American home. I see the carnage, death and destruction that have befallen Lebanon, but I also see something else: I see you. I can’t help but notice that almost every woman I see is carrying a baby or has children around her. I see that though they are dressed modestly, their beauty still shines through. But it’s not just outer beauty that I notice. I also notice that I feel something strange inside me: I feel envy. I feel terrible for the horrible experiences and war crimes that the Lebanese people have suffered, being targeted by our common enemy. But I can’t help but admire your strength, your beauty, your modesty, and most of all, your happiness.

Yes, it’s strange, but it occurred to me that even under constant bombardment, you still seemed happier than we are, because you were still living the natural lives of women. The way women have always lived since the beginning of time. It used to be that way in the West until the 1960s, when we were bombarded by the same enemy. Only we were not bombarded with actual munitions, but with subtle trickery and
moral corruption.

Through Temptation

They bombarded us Americans from Hollywood, instead of from fighter jets or with our own American-made tanks. They would like to bomb you in this way too, after they've finished bombing the infrastructure of your countries. I do not want this to happen to you. You will feel degraded, just like we do. You can avoid this kind of bombing if you will kindly listen to those of us who have already suffered serious casualties from their evil influence. Because everything you see coming out of Hollywood is a pack of lies, a distortion of reality, smoke and mirrors. They present casual sex as harmless recreation because they aim to destroy the moral fabric of the societies into which they beam their poisonous programming. I beg you not to drink their poison. There is no antidote for it once you have consumed it. You may recover partially, but you will never be the same. Better to avoid the poison altogether than to try to heal from the damage it causes.

They will try to tempt you with their titillating movies and music videos, falsely portraying us American women as happy and satisfied, proud of dressing like prostitutes, and content without families. Most of us are not happy, trust me. Millions of us are on anti-depressant medication, hate our jobs, and cry at night over the men who told us they loved us, then greedily used us and walked away. They would like to destroy your families and convince you to have fewer children. They do this by presenting marriage as a form of slavery, motherhood as a curse, and being modest and pure as old-fashioned. They want you to cheapen yourself and lose your faith. They are like the Serpent tempting Eve with the apple. Don't bite.

Self-Value

I see you as precious gems, pure gold, or the "pearl of great value" spoken of in the Bible (Matthew 13: 45). All women are pearls of great value, but some of us have been deceived into doubting the value of our purity. Jesus said: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you" (Matthew 7: 6). Our pearls are priceless, but they convince us that they're cheap. But trust me; there is no substitute for being able to look in the mirror and seeing purity, innocence and self-respect staring back at you.

The fashions coming out of the Western sewer are designed to make you believe that your most valuable asset is your sexuality. But your beautiful dresses and veils are actually sexier than any Western fashion, because they cloak you in mystery and show self-respect and confidence. A woman's sexuality should be guarded from unworthy eyes, since it should be your gift to the man who loves and respects you enough to marry you. And since your men are still manly warriors, they deserve no less than your best. Our men don't even want purity anymore. They don't recognize the pearl of great value, opting for the flashy rhinestone instead. Only to leave her too!

Your most valuable assets are your inner beauty, your innocence, and everything that makes you who you are. But I notice that some Muslim women push the limit and try to be as Western as possible, even while wearing a veil (with some of their hair showing). Why imitate women who already regret, or will soon regret, their lost virtue? There is no compensation for that loss. You are flawless diamonds. Don't let them trick you into becoming rhinestones. Because everything you see in the fashion magazines and on Western television is a lie. It is Satan's trap. It is fool's gold.

A Woman's Heart

I'll let you in on a little secret, just in case you're curious: pre-marital sex is not even that great. We gave our bodies to the men we were in love with, believing that that was the way to make them love us and want to marry us, just as we had seen on television growing up. But without the security of marriage and the sure knowledge that he will always stay with us, it's not even enjoyable! That's the irony. It was just a waste. It leaves you in tears.

Speaking as one woman to another, I believe that you understand that already. Because only a woman can truly understand what's in another woman's heart. We really are all alike. Our race, religion or nationalities do not matter. A woman's heart is the same everywhere. We love. That's what we do best. We nurture our families and give comfort and strength to the men we love. But we American women have been fooled into believing that we are happiest having careers, our own homes in which to live alone, and freedom to give our love away to whomever we choose. That is not freedom. And that is not love.

Only in the safe haven of marriage can a woman's body and heart be safe to love. Don't settle for anything less. It's not worth it. You won't even like it and you'll like yourself even less afterwards. Then he'll leave you.

Self-Denial

Sin never pays. It always cheats you. Even though I have reclaimed my honor, there's still no substitute for having never been dishonored in the first place. We Western women have been brainwashed into thinking that you Muslim women are oppressed. But truly, we are the ones who are oppressed; slaves to fashions that degrade us, obsessed with our weight, begging for love from men who do not want to grow up. Deep down inside, we know that we have been cheated. We secretly admire and envy you, although some of us will not admit it.

Please do not look down on us or think that we like things the way they are. It's not our fault. Most of us did not have fathers to protect us when we were young because our families have been destroyed. You know who is behind this plot.

Don't be fooled, my sisters. Don't let them get you too. Stay innocent and pure. We Christian women need to see what life is really supposed to be like for women. We need you to set the example for us, because we are lost. Hold onto your purity. Remember: you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. So guard your "toothpaste" carefully!

I hope you receive this advice in the spirit in which it is intended: the spirit of friendship, respect, and admiration. From your Christian sister – with love…

Source: http://simplymuqmin.blogspot.com/2009/02/letter-from-christian-to-muslim-women.html

The original article can be found on Crescent and the Cross. Joanna Francis is a writer and journalist. She
manages her own blog.

Suffocating Mist

2010-03-08T21:35:00.001+08:00

Four walls

Again.

To my left?

Whitewashed pillars

Outside the window

[on my right]

Tall and proud skyscrapers

Nighttime skyscrapers

I walk outside

Again breathing the dusty air

I saw, still,

The same walls

Different colours, perhaps

But still walls of bricks and sand

Staring back at me, emotionless.

I sauntered on

Errands to run

Classes to attend

People to meet

But still

Buildings loom by

The giants stand tall,

Looking down menacingly.

Nonetheless

I pushed my way through

Shutting off the apprehension

Attempting to appreciate the art

Of bricks, stones and pillars

That man are so proud of

The so called mark of civilization

Yet in my heart

I yearn

For fresh air

For green earth

Mt. Kinabalu on clouds... 2008

I long

For the calm and soothing song

Of breeze swirling in the morning

Of birds and insects chirping and whistling

For the smell

Of fresh salty sea air

or the reviving scent of woods and nature

Manukan Island, Sabah 2008

The soothing and peaceful surrounding

Whereby one can really sit down and think

Ponder and recap life's journey

Focus one's self on reasons, and aims

Reflecting the past

And planning for the future

In short,

I crave for Allah's artworks

Nature at its best

This, indeed,

Is works of art better than any other artists, ever.

This entry is not an attempt at a poem. Just trying to express how I currently am feeling. Honestly... it's been a while since I get to appreciate nature. I miss it, very much.

Actually.. the feeling is lurking for a while. But increased due to a few incidents which made me wish i can just push the 'pause' button and escape. Ya Rabb... give us strength to go forward..

Anyway... May Allah bless...

The Cry Is Still On: Do We CARE?

2010-03-04T21:46:00.001+08:00

Despite the silence of the media, amidst the news of politics, the steady buzz of the entertainment world, the cry of scorching heat wave or other environmental disruptions, there is one huge matter. One matter which we must never, ever forget.

For this matter is on, still, despite the loss of hype from the newspapers and the mass media. The matter is ongoing, prolonged, over half a decade already. Yes, it is the affair of faith, an issue of humanity, and a question of love. It is the issue regarding Palestine occupation, and the third most important Masjid for Muslims, al-Aqsa.

It had once caught the appeal of the media a few months back. Yet now they have died down. But do you think that because the media is quiet, everything is just fine? Do you think that currently, the Palestinians, who are our brothers and sisters in Islam, are happily enjoying the food as we do, able to study, work, and play as we have, and, most importantly, enjoy the same peace and quiet that we've come to take for granted?

The answer is no, of course not. They are still under occupation of the cruelest and most heartless man on earth, the Zionists, who not only hate, but try their best, their very best, to make things difficult for the Palestinians. They not only try to demolish the Palestinian's home, take their lands, but also claim those land to be their own. But that, my dear brothers and sisters, is not all. They had done many massacres, again, and again, killing so many innocent lives, children and women alike.

Yes, the media is now relatively quiet of any news of the Land. How are things there, currently? What is it that we should, as Muslims and as caring human beings, be aware of?

To know more of the current situation there... do come to the talk by Bro Azman, who had recently came back from Gaza, with the envoy VIVA Palestine.. (click the pic below to enlarge).

found this from a blog.. but the source is from a news article..

Gaza, March 3, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - An increase in birth defects among newborns in the Gaza Strip - first documented in the Palestine Telegraph - has become apparent, despite claims to the contrary by some doctors at Al-Shifa Hospital. Pregnant women say they are living in constant fear.

Noha Abu Laban, 37, a resident of Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip, is in her final month of pregnancy and says: "In the war, I inhaled the smoke of white phosphorus, which was fired on the roof of our house. I have been feeling sick since my pregnancy, and have had heavy bleeding." Noha is currently being treated in the High-Risk Pregnancy Care Unit at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Alaa Al-Tunp, a 25-year-old resident in the Al-Tofah neighborhood, says: "When I heard the stories of deformed fetuses, I became so worried, especially since I miscarried once before, during the war, when I was in my third month of pregnancy. I had inhaled the smoke of the white phosphorus. There are many pregnant women here in the High=Risk Pregnancy Care Unit who had the same experience." Alaa says she is very worried that she will miscarry once again, or that her baby will be deformed.

More than 20 pregnant women interviewed at the High-Risk Pregnancy Care Unit at Al-Shifa reported suffering intermittent bleeding.

Ahlam, a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, indicated that there have been many infants with birth defects, and some die after just a week. Most of the newborns in this condition are not named, since it is believed they will not survive. One of the babies, for example, suffers from deformities in which his head is twice the size of his body, his skin is wrinkled and covered with thick hair, and his respiratory system struggles to function.

Dr. Jehad Hisain, who works at the neonatal intensive care unit at Al-Shifa Hospital, confirmed that these deformities are increasing, adding that the parents often do not visit them in the unit for months, since death is their babies' anticipated fate.

Experts regard the most recent birth defect in Gaza as a result of the last one sided war launched by Israel. The Israeli war "massacre" claimed the lives of thousands while DU weapons and white phosphorous targeted only areas populated by civilians in Gaza.

Mads Gilbert , a Norwegian doctor who worked in Gaza in time of war, revealed that Israel used new close-range explosive (DIME) shells that cause severe injuries and battlefield amputations on the civilians being struck by these weapons.

Previous report of the Palestine Telegraph documented birth defect cases that give strong proofs, that Israel has used such weapons.

Report/Photos: Eman Jomaa

(source)

Let Us RECAP to ADAPT

2010-03-01T01:16:00.000+08:00

When you are HUMILIATED, remember the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in TA'IF.

When you are STARVING, remember the Prophet (Peace be upon him) tying two stones to his stomach in the battle of KHANDAQ.

When becoming ANGRY and SAD, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him)control of anger and sadness on the martyrdom of his beloved Uncle HAMZAH.

When losing a TOOTH, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) tooth in the battle of UHUD.

When BLEEDING from any part of the body, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) body covered in blood stoned by the people of TA'IF.

When feeling LONELY, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) seclusion in Mount HIRA.

When feeling TIRED in salaat, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) bruised feet in TAHAJJUD.

When being PRICKLED with thorns, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him)pain from ABU LAHAB'S wife.

When being TROUBLED by neighbors, remember the old woman who would throw rubbish on the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

When LOSING a child, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) sons, ABDUL QOSIM, ABDULLAH and IBRAHIM,

When BEGINNING a long journey, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him)long journey to MADINAH in Hijrah.

When going AGAINST a Sunnah, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) love towards his ummah in his last words “Ummati, Ummati, Ummati.”

When experiencing POVERTY, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) days of poverty.
When LOSING a family member, remember the Death of Prophet's (Peace be upon him) beloved first wife, Khadijah and Uncle, Abu Muthalib.

When becoming an ORPHAN, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) tough life as an orphan.

When LOVING an orphan, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) love for ZAID IBN HARITHA.

When FEARING an enemy, remember the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) saying to Abu Bakr during HIJRAH.

Whatever SITUATIONS you may find yourself in, REMEMBER your ROLE MODEL, the best of creation: Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) THE CHOSEN ONE.

>> this is actually a post by Br. Amin Misran, taken from his blog. May we be counted as the Prophet's (PBUH) ummah on the day when our deeds shall be counted.. How strong is our love for Rasulullah? Is it enough to get us to meet him in Jannah?

may Allah bless..

Myasthenia Gravis

2010-02-14T23:13:00.004+08:00

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful…

As of now, in this blog, I have seldom (or never, perhaps?) shared anything related to my academic field. It is not that I don't want to, but I somehow the idea never seemed to get around. For those of you who do not know me personally, I am currently studying allied health science. One of its many branches. Hence this time, I want to share this…

Myasthenia Gravis. Ever heard of the term? Or does it sound Dutch to your ears? I have had just encountered the word myself last Thursday. Correction… perhaps 'encounter' is not the correct word. I had just learnt of this serious condition in class. The word is of Greek and Latin origin, meaning "grave muscular illness". It is an autoimmune disease which affects the neuromuscular junction, the connecting point between our muscles and nerves which send messages from the brain. This disease will result in muscle weakness. This weakness is not persistent, but fluctuating, some days better than others.

What happens to people with MG? Basically, one, or more of their muscles will start to weaken. Some of the common muscles involved are: muscles of the eye, whereby the 8 muscles of the eye fail to work correctly, causing the person to see double. Another eye muscle affected is the levator muscle, which helps keep the upper eyelid lifted up as we open our eyes. People with MG affecting their levator muscles appear to have droopy eyelid, or ptosis. Another muscle that can be affected is the muscles in the limbs, the hands and feet. The person will feel very tired, and sometimes unable to move their hands, arms or legs. At times, if the MG attacks the muscle of the tongue, speech will become slurred and eating will be difficult. In more serious cases, the muscles of the pharynx and larynx (the throat) may also be affected, causing a difficulty in swallowing food and occasionally, a difficulty in breathing.

Is the info too much medical-related for you to digest? If so, forgive me. Well… why did I decide to share this uncommon disease today? These past few days, I've been a bit unwell. First I caught a minor fever, lasting about two days. Afterwards, because my tonsil was infected (with what? I'm not too sure either) I have had tonsilitis and currently, my voice sounds quite unlike me.

Sickness could be very bothersome to the average human. Of course, it is difficult to eat when your taste buds are not as sharp as usual, to sleep comfortably when you keep waking up at night to cough, and so many other nuisances.

Yet when I compare my own sickness to myasthenia gravis, the difference is vast. MG patients have difficulty almost everyday of their life, some suffer the disease in their teens. (For some true stories, visit
THIS PAGE) I have been unwell for only a few days.

Sickness actually forces us to think. Think back of the days when we were healthy, are we thankful to Allah the Almighty for all He provides us? Have we used the health he gives us for good, or have we neglected His gift and use it for things which brings no benefit to ourselves or our hereafter? Did we utilize the time we have fully when we are healthy? [The last part… it's on me actually, having had the fever in the middle of my midterm exams. Evidently I failed to use my time well previously to study as much as I should, and still need to rely on last minute study to cover up for what I had not mastered. An important lesson for me this time round.]

Lying down sick, one is able to get closer to Allah. For we pray more, asking him for help in curing us. As we lie down, we can take time to reflect on our deeds. Furthermore, one will learn to rely on Allah alone, for only He can make us better. One will also learn the art of patience, for patience is the key in waiting to get better. Patience and trust in Allah. These are the best ingredients to go through and succed in confronting sickness, or any predicament, for that matter.

Yes, my illness is not as bad as Myasthenia Gravis. Not even close. Yet no matter how severe or slight our condition is, or even if we are healthy, one must always be thankful to Allah for the condition we are in. We must also always trust Allah, the All-knowing, trust that He knows what's best for us, to be healthy or sick.

In a nutshell, everything and anything that happens to us happens due to His will. As believers, we must always try to relate them to Allah, and try to learn and improve from them. Trials and tribulations come and go, but if we have faith that Allah is always there, assisting us through, we will stand strong and remain fighting on, insyaAllah…

For more info regarding MG, you can visit
THIS PAGE, or simply google the key word. May Allah bless us all…