The Last 10 Days

The Last 10 Days. Does it sounds like a title from a new released movie in the cinema? Or maybe like a title of a suspense, thrilling genre novel in the new arrival section of famous book stores? It could be a poem, a sad one. It could be from a journal entry of someone, anyone. What do you think?

Assalamualaikum to All. Anne has been reinstated and is now writing in the house. It has been a while and I hope you are doing great in this blessing month of Ramadan. Anne's Dictionary of Life defined 'Blogging' as Reaching Hearts with Lessons from the Your Life Story. So, let's update a little. I just came back to IMU, starting my final year, with tears before leaving the Northern Land and with unexplainable determination the moment flight landed yesterday noon at Subang Airport.
When a new phase begin, a more challenging obstacles are waiting ahead to bring us closer to Allah, always have that in mind comrades.

Truthfully admitting, I am always anxious of the wave ahead. The burden of stepping into final year is unexpectedly even heavier that what I thought, but it is Ramadan. I feel strengthen even with the thought that it is a special month to Muslims. Month of Miracles. My faith to Allah doubled and tripled because I know HE's got my back. This is really a weird feeling that I am feeling. The usual, never fading protection and security from Allah to me, felt the greatest this month, I sense the difference and I hate the fact that, Ramadan would end in just half a month.

Cracking my mind up over a topic to write on, forcing frozen non-existing ideas to melt, opening the box of mood, hoping that I would have at least a little of it, left somewhere in any corner of the box, which unfortunately, none was. I finally decided to read on some stuffs in the internet and happen to read a piece of wonderful writing from my favourite writer, Yasmin Mogahed in her official website, which you could give yourself a touching tour of saving your soul whenever you feel like you are in need of it. I  found this nice title to write about.

Yasmin Mogahed wrote on four things that we can do in the last 10 days of Ramadan which are:

Set a private meeting with Allah, 

Locate a time for reflection 

Go for a trip with Allah  

Grab the Night of Power

Busy throughout the days, of course. So spare some hours in the night before Sahur to meet Allah, privately. (Or, you didn't even wake up for Sahur?) Well, if that is the case, reading this would not help. Hold on grip to the fact that this last 10 days only comes once in a year, make an effort to connect to Allah. You can pray, you can read Al-Quran, you can just recite Dua. There is no limit to what you should do and it is what you want to do. 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One, descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims: ‘Is there anyone supplicating to Me, so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything so that I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness, so that I forgive him?’” [Bukhari and Muslim].

(Copied From: yasminmogahed.com)

Let us try to not use our tight schedule to the reason we could not find any free time for a self reflection everyday. I am reminding myself, at least. I know if possible, I would want to finish every single task in my to-do-list. But it never ends. Sometimes drowning and forgetting, take you a step away from the real reason of living, don't you think? We are struggling so hard till it breaks our head apart. What do you live for? This question appears in my head when I begin to seriously think about life. Take this golden opportunity in this blessing month, to reflect more. It is best when there are no distraction around you and begin reflecting. It never fails in making me feel better but I am not sure about you. You will never know, unless you try.

What do Yasmin Mogahed means when she wrote 'Trip with Allah'? First of all. If we are to go for a trip, what are the possible reasons to it? 

• It's semester break, I need to go somewhere to de-stress
• It has been quite a while since everyone in the family get together, so let's have some bonding time with each other
• I want to get away from my problems and come back fresh and new

Indeed. We need to get away, sometimes. That's what she wrote, which is cool. With just Allah as your companion, bring yourself closer to him on the last 10 days. Away from the demanding world, but closer to Allah that creates this world. One of the thing that people always talk about when Ramadan is approaching or arrived.

• Aisha (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to practice I`tikaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan” [Bukhari].

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr(power) with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Aisha (ra) said: “I asked the Prophet ﷺ, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah, You are Oft-Pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.'” [Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi]

• [Copied from yasminmogahed.com] 

With a good intention, I am just sharing what I just read. May the good in this entry be spread and reach more hearts. Even if it is lacking on my part, I hope that at least, one thing from here, touches the deepest part in your heart.

I end my, my writing here. I hope to greet you even sooner. Maybe later, but at least, I will try. So you too. Give a try. The process of bringing our heart, mind and ourselves to Allah is not something that can only be done in Ramadan. The battle is ongoing throughout our life. It is suppose to keep on going despite you are winning or failing. 

AnneZR

p/s: Dear pretty course mate, that came and greet me while I was writing this. I hope you enjoy reading this.

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Cermin Amal

Betapa kerinduan pada ramadhan yang kita pendam-pendam diam sebelum ini telah berbunga. Ramadhan tiba dengan ribuan pesona. Seperti pesona seribu bulan serta makbulnya doa. Seperti pesona Al-Quran petunjuk buat sekalian manusia.

“Bulan ramadhan, bulan yang diturunkan di dalamnya al-Qur’an sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia dan pejelasan-penjelasan mengenai petunjuk itu dan pembeda (antara yang haq dan yang bathil)…” (Qs. Al-Baqarah: 185).

Sedar tidak sedar, kita sudah melewati separuh ramadhan yang tertinggal pada jejak masa sepanjang kita menempuh perjalanan ini. Alangkah ia seperti bunga-bungaan harum yang telah gugur dari pohonnya. Sungguh, harumnya tetap ada meski gugur semua.

Ketahuilah wahai saudara sekalian, kalian masih punya masa dengan izin-Nya, melainkan Izrail telah tiba untuk mencabut ruh dari jasad. Waktu itu, segalanya sudah terlambat. Hanya berharap pada segala amal kebajikan, serta doa dari yang masih bernafas.

Dan dari Ibnu Umar , dari Nabi , beliau bersabda:  

"Sesungguhnya Allah menerima taubat hamba selama ruh belum sampai
tenggorokan." HR: Ahmad 3/1532, 1330, at-Tirmidzi: 3537, dan dihasankan oleh
al-Albani dalam Shahih at-Targhib 3/218/3143 dan al-Misykaat: 2449, 2343).

Pada ramadhan kali ini yang barangkali ramadhan terakhir kita, gesalah jiwa dan padukan hati agar dapat meraih redha Allah melalui kemuliaan ramadhan. Entah bila lagi kita akan masih berpeluang mengeringkan tenggorakan dengan berpuasa khusus pada bulan ramadhan. 

Fastabiqul khairat! Kejar selagi terdaya, selagi termampu.

"...maka berlumba-lumbalah kamu dalam kebaikan..."(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:148)

"...maka berlumba-lumbalah berbuat kebaikan..."(Surah Al-Maidah 5:48)

Semoga kita semua dikuatkan jasadi dan disucikan ruhani dalam beramal agar kelak apabila kita menerima buku catatan amalan, tangan kananlah yang akan menyahut tenang.

Biarkan lidah kita basah dengan zikir.

Biarkan wang kita menyenangi perut si faqir

Usah bermalas-malasan untuk tarawih, tahajud mahupun witir.

Semuanya hanya untuk Pencipta kita, Tuhan yang menciptakan segala sesuatu. jadilah kita hamba yang patuh serta taat kepada-Nya.

Dan apabila wajah kita menhadap pada cermin amal, adakah kita dapat melihat jelas siapa diri kita di balik cermin? Justeru, perbanyakkan amal ibadah, ikhlaskan diri dalam beramal, bersegera dan lakukannya sungguh-sungguh. Moga-moga Allah menerima segala amalan kita, mengampuni dosa yang lalu serta mengurniakan redha-Nya ke atas kita.

Insya-Allah.

****

Akhir sekali, ingin kami sampaikan khutbah sayyidina Muhammad shallallahu 'alaihi wasallam di hari terakhir bulan Sya'ban untuk menyambut Ramadhan, hadits ini riwayatnya lemah namun teriwayatkan lebih dari 25 riwayat, dan pada makna-makna kalimatnya didukung oleh hadits-hadits shahih, maka pada hakikatnya meskipun hadits ini riwayatnya lemah namun merupakan perpaduan hadits-hadits shahih yang terpecah, dan riwayat di atas merupakan riwayat yang merangkum kesemuanya. Maka berikut ini khutbah beliau di akhir bulan Sya'ban seraya menyambut bulan Ramadhan:

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ أَظَلَّكُمْ شَهْرٌ عَظِيْمٌ، شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ، شَهْرٌ فِيْهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ، جَعَلَ اللهُ صِيَامَهُ فَرِيْضَةً، وَقِيَامَ لَيْلِهِ تَطَوُّعًا

Wahai manusia, sungguh telah datang kepadamu bulan yang agung, bulan yang penuh dengan keberkahan, yang didalamnya terdapat satu malam yang lebih baik (nilainya) dari seribu bulan, bulan yang mana Allah tetapkan puasa di siang harinya sebagai fardhu, dan shalat (tarawih) di malamnya sebagai sunah.

مَنْ تَقَرَّبَ فِيْهِ بِخِصْلَةٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ، كَانَ كَمَنْ أَدَّى فَرِيْضَةً فِيْمَا سِوَاهُ، وَمَنْ أَدَّى فِيْهِ فَرِيْضَةً كَانَ كَمَنْ أَدَّى سَبْعِيْنَ فَرِيْضَة فِيْمَا سِوَاهُ

Barang siapa mendekatkan diri kepada Allah di bulan ini dengan satu kebaikan (amalan sunnah), maka pahalanya seperti dia melakukan amalan fardhu di bulan-bulan yang lain. Barangsiapa melakukan amalan fardhu di bulan ini, maka pahalanya seperti telah melakukan 70 amalan fardhu di bulan lainnya.

وَهُوَ شَهْرُ الصَّبْرِ، وَالصَّبْرُ ثَوَابُهُ الْجَنَّةُ

Inilah bulan kesabaran dan balasan atas kesabaran adalah surga,

وَشَهْرُ الْمُوَاسَاةِ، وَشَهْرٌ يَزْدَادُ فِيْهِ رِزْقُ الْمُؤْمِنِ

bulan ini merupakan bulan kedermawanan dan simpati (satu rasa) terhadap sesama. Dan bulan dimana rizki orang-orang yang beriman ditambah.

مَنْ فَطَّرَ فِيْهِ صَائِمًا كَانَ مَغْفِرَةً لِذُنُوْبِهِ، وَعِتْقَ رَقَبَتِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَكَانَ لَهُ مِثْلَ أَجْرِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْءٌ

Barang siapa memberi makan (untuk berbuka) orang yang berpuasa maka baginya pengampunan atas dosa-dosanya dan dibebaskan dari api neraka dan dia mendapatkan pahala yang sama sebagaimana yang berpuasa tanpa mengurangi sedikitpun pahala orang yang berpuasa.

قَالُوْا: لَيْسَ كُلُّنَا نَجِدُ مَا يفطرُ الصَّائِمُ

Para sahabat berkata: "Wahai Rasulullah! tidak semua dari kami mempunyai sesuatu yang bisa diberikan kepada orang yang berpuasa untuk berbuka."

يُعْطِي اللهُ هَذَا الثَّوَابَ مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا عَلَى تَمْرَةٍ أَوْ شَرْبَةَ مَاءٍ أَوْ مَذقَةَ لَبَنٍ

Rasulullah menjawab: "Allah akan memberikan pahala ini kepada orang yang memberi buka puasa walaupun dengan sebiji kurma, atau seteguk air, atau setetes susu".

وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ أَوَّلُهُ رَحْمَةٌ، وَأَوْسَطُهُ مَغْفِرَةٌ، وَآخِرُهُ عِتْقٌ مِنَ النَّارِ

Inilah bulan yang permulaannya (sepuluh hari pertama) Allah menurunkan rahmat, yang pertengahannya (sepuluh hari pertengahan) Allah memberikan ampunan, dan yang terakhirnya (sepuluh hari terakhir) Allah membebaskan hamba-Nya dari api neraka .

مَنْ خَفَّفَ عَنْ مَمْلُوْكِهِ غَفَرَ اللهُ لَهُ، وَأَعْتَقَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

Barangsiapa yang meringankan hamba sahayanya di bulan ini, maka Allah SWT akan mengampuninya dan membebaskannya dari api neraka.

وَاسْتَكْثِرُوْا فِيْهِ مِنْ أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ، : خِصْلَتَيْنِ تَرْضْوَنِ بِهِمَا رَبَّكُمْ، وَخِصْلَتَيْنِ لَا غِنًى بِكُمْ عَنْهُمَا، فَأَمَّا الْخِصْلَتَانِ اللَّتَانِ تَرْضَوْنَ بِهِمَا رَبَّكُمْ فَشَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَتَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَهُ، وَأَمَّا اللَّتَانِ لَا غِنَى بِكُمْ عَنْهُمَا فَتَسْأَلُوْنَ اللهَ الْجَنَّةَ وَ تَعُوْذُوْنَ بِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ

Perbanyaklah melakukan empat hal di bulan ini, yang dua hal dapat mendatangkan keridhaan Tuhanmu, dan yang dua hal kamu pasti memerlukannya. Dua hal yang mendatangkan keridhaan Allah yaitu syahadah (Laailaaha illallaah) dan beristighfar kepada Allah, dan dua hal yang pasti kalian memerlukannya yaitu mohonlah kepada-Nya untuk masuk surga dan berlindung kepada-Nya dari api neraka .

وَمَنْ أَشْبَعَ فِيْهِ صَائِمًا سَقَاهُ اللهُ مِنْ حَوْضِيْ شَرْبَةً لَا يَظْمَأُ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ

Dan barang siapa memberi minum kepada orang yang berpuasa (untuk berbuka), maka Allah akan memberinya minum dari telagaku (Haudh) dimana dengan sekali minum ia tidak akan merasakan haus sehingga ia memasuki surga.

*khutbah tersebut diambil daripada laman : http://www.nuansaislam.com/fikrah/wawasan/1548-khutbah-rasulullah-saw-menyambut-bulan-ramadhan

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Appreciating Ramadan

Assalamualaikum to ALL out there.

Today, it is the sixth day we are fasting and so far, Is there any significant improvement in your daily life? Are you continuously reciting Al-Quran with Allah in heart? Have you said thanks to Allah? For giving you chance to arrive on this blessing month, again this year, without much efforts from us but with HIS mercy and hopes that we could change. We open our eyes today, and it is Ramadan. For He has given the chance for us all to repent on our mistakes and He has given us chance to collect as much rewards as possible during Ramadan. So don't, ever, ever, ever you waste it. Grab every seconds, remember him, do good deeds for him, be patience to get HIS blessings, read Al-Quran, Zikir, and whatever that you could, as your rewards are multiplied. 

Do you know what? I am on a semester break and all that I do at home was cleaning the house, doing the never end housework, making sure everything is in the right order, sending and taking my siblings to and from school, helping them with their assignments, visiting relatives and all. Well, I have some time for myself too, to do things that I want and like, to prepare for my coming semester and all. And yes, we are in a fasting month, so reading Al-Quran is a must. But, is that all to Ramadan? Living life like normal, fasting, praying Taraweh and reciting the Al-Quran? Well, I know there are so much of it if we are to talk about the blessings of Ramadan and the amal that we could do along way, very much that you could type it on Google and what is there left was for you to read.

My mom, every weekdays, from 4.30 am in the morning, I woke up and she was already in the kitchen, preparing food. She drives to work everyday, to another state, and came back late evening at around 6.30, helped dad and me in the kitchen, break fast, clear the kitchen, pray Maghrib, Read Al-Quran and fall asleep before Isyak, too tired, very tired. 

I told her,

"Mommy, if you are this tired, just pray Isyak and rest..." I told her apologetically, saying her that Taraweh is just a Sunnah

She smiled at me with her sleepy eyes when I woke her up during Azan and told me something very simple from her thoughts.

 "Angah, it's okay. I know it's sunnah. To me, since this prayer can only be done in Ramadan, I didn't want a miss even a day. We never know if next year, we could still have the chance to do it, that's why..."

Her answer, may sounds very basic and simple, from someone who understand Islam as so-so. But to me, it hit me right on the heart. It brings me back to the deepest importance of Ramadan, it made me realize how special Ramadan is and it made me appreaciate Ramadan.

Let's not get drown in worldly matters. Let's open our eyes and think with our heart. For this one time, for those who may have forgotten the blessings of Ramadan, let's try to remind ourselves and those around us. Doing the right things is good, but knowing the reason you are doing it, with heart I should say, is equally important.

There are many benefits to Ramadan and right this moment, I would just write about how it could affect our Taqwa and how Ramadan gives protection to us all. Bear with me comrades, like I always say, it may be something so trivial to you, but to people like me who always forget and need to be reminded, sometimes, it is good to write and say it many times.

Self-discipline, self-control, self-restraint and self-evaluation. All of these, if practiced, could increase our Taqwa to Allah. I bet everyone has heard about how Ramadan is the best month to change. For one month, if you do something routinely, it will become alive in your blood, making it a habit without fail even when Ramadan ends. Cool, right? Then, use this moment to become more discipline. Wake up early and help your mom to prepare Sahur to get Allah's blessings. Even though just by laying the plate on the table, Allah would reward you for sure. There are nothing to lose in Ramadan, if you do it all for Allah. Take this opportunity, to make those around you happy for Allah. And for those who are fasting far away from the family, it did not mean that you have nothing good to do. Wake up and Pray Tahajjud. Recite the Al-Quran. Have a personal, quiet, one-to-one talk with Allah early in the morning, do anything, that keep your heart and mind on him, and it will help you increase not only your discipline but taqwa. This is the time, we prepare for Hereafter, grab as many rewards as you can and learn to fear Allah so you would have a better self-restraint towards worldly stuffs.

The next benefit is the chance of becoming a better, good manner muslim. Well, it is about the same as the first one. Frankly, I really didn't know why my writing turn out that way. Anyway, we all know that we are free from the Satan whisper in Ramadan, but remember, we still have our nafsu to deal with. And trust me, for everyone, this is not something small to deal with. Sometimes, Allah tested us with a higher level of situation where it angers you to the maximum, to build your patience. We are to stay away from any immorality and the makrooh, masbooh and haram and this is the moment we are taught to restrain our self from what is wrong.

Sincerely, I think human, with the advance of technology and the widespread of entertainment nowadays, they began to forget and slowly drowning in this busy world. There are so many sources where good knowledge and islamic reminders, all over the media and books but not all actually pay attention to these things. We would drown too deep if we let ourselves loose for so long. Allah, has gives us everything that is the best for us, there are helping hands, supporting people around, there are boats to board around, there is also nearby land where you could start a new, and now, it is all depend on us, whether we want to be rescued, whether we want to swim and safe our self from the ocean of dunya or whether you want to stay drowning. The decision is actually ours. We are the creation of Allah that is given the ability to think and make our own decision. So, choose what is right.

 Never forget, another thing that Allah gives us in hand at the moment, time. As for this second, it is still ours and so we could still make good use of it. But, once the time return to the giver, Allah, there is really nothing else that is left with us dear friends. So, extend your hand, go against the strong current of the ocean, with Allah as reason you want to keep surviving in this harsh world to carry on our responsibility as a Muslim. Take this chance in this blessings month, pray to Allah to ease your way in struggling to the surface of the ocean. I know it is not easy, because you may be too deep inside, but slowly, slowly and patiently swim upwards. Though you may feel like it is dark ahead of you, when you have Allah in your heart, even with closed eyes, you could see the light.

Ramadan makes it easier for you as one of the big obstacle, the satans are chained. So, use it well, Fight your nafsu, fight the darkness within you. fight your past mistakes, fight to be better and remember to do it all for Allah, then only you would be rewarded and blessed.

Up to here for now. It has been a while since I last write, so I apologize for any failings in my part. Hope you enjoy reading. And as for today sharing, it is a verse from Surah Ibraheem that tells us about one of the greatness of Al-Quran

AnneZR

p/s: There was a joke in my family during Ramadan. After coming back from Taraweh, my three brothers would be acting as if they were carrying something heavy, "Tepi, tepi, tepi angah..." They would acting perfectly well, as if it was so heavy when not even a sinlg thing was on their hand. Do you know what, they said they are carrying their rewards and it is so much that they may have to go back to the mosque again to carry all back. Last few days, I asked my dad, "Baba, tak bawak balik pahala ka hari ni...?" I asked him, seeing him leisurely walked inside the house. And he answered, "Ish banyak sangat, baba tak tau berapa lori baru nak boleh bawak. Baba tinggai dulu la kat masjid..."

I know the rewards to 'Beribadah' is not countable. And to human, maybe few lorries of rewards are considered too much already, but Allah is giving us more, more than what we could ever thought. So, take the chance in Ramadan and prepare yourself for the Hereafter, a reminder to me and you all.

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Aku & Ramadhan

Ahlan wa sahlan Ramadhan.

Inilah Ramadhan, bulan tarbiah, bulan yang bertujuan untuk mendidik.

Inilah bulan, dimana kita boleh mengenal, siapa kita sebenarnya.

Masa untuk mengenal diri sendiri.

Mengenal diri sendiri?

True Self & False Self

D.W. Winnicott, seorang paediatrician dan psychoanalyst telah memberikan idea nya dalam mengenal personaliti manusia, iaitu True Self & False Self. Idea ini kemudiannya dikembangkan oleh psychoanalyst yang lain pada tahun-tahun berikutnya.

Setiap dari kita punyai personaliti masing-masing. Namun, dari personality itu, bukan semuanya kita paparkan. Ada personality yang kita sengaja/tidak sengaja sembunyikan.

Atau, dari seorang ustaz syuyukh (orang lama) DnT yang ku hormati, dia berkongsi; manusia ini punyai lapisan-lapisan nya. Ada lapisan luar yang dia tunjukkan pada orang ramai, ada lapisan dalam yang sebenar yang dia sembunyikan.

Idea yang sama. Analogi yang berbeza.

Lapisan luar yang kita tunjukkan, kebanyakan hanyalah untuk tatapan umum. Untuk disukai, untuk dihormati, untuk disayangi & dihargai.

Dan disebabkan kita mendapat ‘comfort’ dengan lapisan luar ini, our true self mula kita ketepikan. Merasa, this is how I should be. Faking it out. Inilah yang dikatakan, narcissism.

Namun, setuju atau tidak, setiap dari kita ada sifat narcissism ini. Beza tahapannya sahaja.

Jadi, just be your true self.

True self

Walau ucapan ‘menjadi true self’ ini ada positifnya, namun ada sebab kenapa kita sembunyikannya.

Boleh jadi, true self kita ini, tidak lah sebaik mana, sangat negative, mudah berburuk sangka, dsb. Lalu, kita memilih untuk menyembunyikannya.

Dan itulah yang mahu kita perbaiki dalam bulan Ramadhan ini.

Nafsu dalam True Self

Berbeza dari Winnicott, Alice Miller, seorang psychologist berpendapat, true self ini bukanlah datang sekaligus. Bukan satu package. Ia bukan datang seolah disetkan sejak lahir, tapi ia terbina sedikit demi sedikit sepanjang kehidupan itu.

True self itu mampu dibina dan dididik. Ia mampu dibentuk.

Jadi, dalam kita mengenal true self kita, saya jatuh cinta bagaimana Islam menjelaskan mengenai diri kita. Our true self.

Segala perbuatan kita berpunca dari hati. Ini sabit hadis sahih Imam Bukhari & Muslim.

Dari hati, adanya keinginan/kehendak yang kita kenali sebagai nafsu. Dan dari nafsu itu terbahagi kepada dua.

"Dan tiadalah aku berani membersihkan diriku; sesungguhnya nafsu manusia itu sangat menyuruh melakukan kejahatan, kecuali (nafsu) yang telah diberi rahmat oleh Tuhanku. Sesungguhnya Tuhanku Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani."

Yusuf 12: 53

1.       1.  Nafsu yang menyuruh kepada kejahatan.

2.       2.  Nafsu yang diberi Rahmat oleh Tuhan.

Sudah tentu ada pendetailan mengenai nafsu itu sendiri kepada nafsu lawwamah, mutmainnah, amarah, dan beberapa jenis lagi, namun itu bukanlah fokus kali ini. Tapi lebih kepada mengenal sifat nafsu itu sendiri.

Nafsu itu asasnya mempunyai dua sifat. Satu mampu merosakkan, dan satu mampu menguatkan.

Ulama tasawwuf (jika boleh saya quote dari Habib al-Jufri; hanya untuk bab nafsu ini sahaja) membahagikan nafsu dalam dirinya itu sebagai satu entiti.

Seolah satu individu lain dalam diri.

Kemampuan ‘individu’ ini pula, ia mampu mempengaruhi keputusan kita. Sama ada baik, atau jahat.

Jadi penting untuk kita jelas mengenai nafsu itu sendiri. Supaya kita mampu manfaatkannya.

Individu Tersembunyi

Kesan dari kita jelas akan adanya nafsu dalam diri, kita akan mula sedar keinginan yang ia mahukan.

Kita mampu menapis nya terlebih dahulu.

Kerana ada masanya, hati ini kita turutkan saja.

Tanpa memikirkan langsung kesannya.

”Terangkanlah kepadaku tentang orang yang menjadikan hawa nafsunya sebagai tuhannya. Maka apakah kamu dapat menjadi pemelihara atasnya?. atau apakah kamu mengira bahwa kebanyakan mereka itu mendengar atau memahami. Mereka itu tidak lain, hanyalah seperti binatang ternak, bahkan mereka lebih sesat jalannya (dari binatang ternak itu)”.

 Al-Furqaan:43-44

Start to learn to say NO to our nafs.

Belajar untuk mengenal nafsu diri.

Ramadhan Mengunci Syaitan

Justeru, Ramadhan adalah masa terbaik untuk kita mengenal diri. Mengenai true self kita.

Perhatikan hati kita. Awasinya. Lihat, apa yang ia mahukan dari kita.

Apa yang kita tahu darinya, itulah status diri kita. Status hati kita.

Kerana tiada lagi syaitan untuk menggoda.

Hanya kita & nafsu sahaja.

Inilah masanya.
Medan tempur kita.

One-on-one.

Bersedia untuk menghadapi the real you?

Tarbiah Dzatiyyah (Pendidikan Diri Sendiri)

Inilah masa untuk kita mendidik diri kita.

Mendidik true self kita.

Bukan sekadar lapisan luaran.

Bukan sekadar ‘nampak’ baik, tapi benar-benar cuba untuk menjiwai kebaikan itu.

Didik sehingga ke lapisan paling dalam.

Supaya apa yang kelihatan diluar, adalah apa yang hasil dari dalam.

Bukan lagi False self. Tiada lagi berpura-pura.

Hanya kita & Allah. Itu saja. Bukan untuk orang lain. Hanya untuk Dia.

Sampai bila?

Sampai kita bertemu dengan Nya kelak.

Saat kita akan tersenyum, dan merasa rindu untuk bertemuNya.

Kita redha kepadaNya, Dia juga redha akan kita.

Sementara kita masih punya Ramadhan. Manfaatkannya.

Bukan sebulan ini, tapi untuk 11 bulan akan datang.

Learn to build the new & better you.

Medan Muhasabah

Jadi, persiapkan diri untuk menghadapi Ramadhan selama sebulan ini.

Kurangkan perkara-perkara yang tidak berfaedah.

Seperti seorang akh yang ku kenal, dia berazam untuk tidak pergi ke bazaar sepanjang Ramadhan.

Pada mulanya aku tak faham, kenapa? Pelik betul azam Ramadhan dia yang ini.

Sehinggalah selepas itu aku ke Bazaar, dan aku mula memahami kenapa.

Anda?

Anda lebih tahu apa yang anda lakukan.
Rancang & laksanakan.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Sabda Rasulullah saw (bermaksud):

"Berapa ramai yang berpuasa tidak memperolehi apa-apa dari puasanya kecuali lapar dan dahaga. Berapa ramai orang mendirikan solat malam tidak memperolehi apa-apa kecuali berjaga malam dan keletihan "

(Riwayat Ibnu Majah daripada Abu Hurairah. Telah dihasankan oleh Albani).

Let the your true self be centralized around Allah, the Creator of the universe,

Rather than it be centralized around Dunya, which you will leave it one day..

Ramadhan Mubarak. 

Allahul musta'an. Semoga Allah memberi anda dan saya yang menulis ini kekuatan. Amin.

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Aku ketagih?

Ketagihan.

I believe, it is safe for me to say, that each one of us has (some sort of) addiction.Whether it’s good or bad, we all have it. Well, most of us in a way.

Cuma kadang, kita tak sedar pun mengenainya. Dan tertanya, apa itu ketagihan?

Aku ada ketagihan ke?

….

Bagi aku, ketagihan itu adalah:

      1. Sebuah perbuatan yang kita SUKA lakukan, tapi kita GAGAL mengawalnya.     

      2. Kita pasti akan melakukannya hampir setiap hari.

Bila kita bercakap mengenai dua aspek ini, agak-agak ada tak kaitannya dengan kehidupan seharian kita? Dari bangun tidur, hingga kita mula melelapkan mata.

Pasti ada.

Contoh paling mudah, telefon pintar yang kita punya.Di sanalah kita meng’update’ status, meng’upload’ gambar, dan paling kerap, bermain game. Baik dari kecil, mahupun yang sudah tua. Semua terkena. Tindakannya tidak mampu dikawal. Seolah tidak lengkap hari jika tidak bermain telefon pintar. Serba tidak kena. Mati akal, tak tahu nak buat apa.

Meskipun itu hanyalah ketagihan dari telefon pintar, namun ia masih lagi ketagihan. Lalu siapa sedar ketagihannnya itu suatu yang merugikan?

“Alah, itu standard la… main game dalam telefon je kot..”

Dan kini ia telah menjadi standard. Lumrah kebiasaan.

Untuk kita GAGAL mengawal diri, dikira perkara biasa dan normal dalam hidup. Begitu kan? Ini hanyalah salah satu contoh. Banyak lagi ketagihan yang berlaku dalam masyarakat.

…..

Itulah masalah dengan ketagihan.

Ia akan sentiasa dipandang OK oleh pelaku kerana ia perbuatan yang dia gemar lakukan.

“Kenapa perlu berhenti jika perkara itu best?”

Logik akalnya.

Atas asas yang sama, ketagihan mampu mempengaruhi pemikiran seseorang, sehingga menjejaskan penilaian baik dan buruk sesuatu perkara. Kita mungkin rasa ‘biasa’ membuang masa. Pelaku yang lain juga rasa ‘biasa’. 

Bezanya, kau ketagih main telefon, dia ketagih main benda lain.

Bezanya, kau merugikan masa, dia bernafsu serakah pada insan lain.

Rasional bagi kau, tidak rasional bagi dia.

Kerana ruang berfikir rasional sudah tiada lagi.

"Alah, rugi masa je. Tapi aku puas."

"Alah, tengok kat laptop je. Tapi aku puas."

Bukan rasional akal yang menyukatnya, tapi kepuasan hati yang menjadi raja

"Adakah kamu pernah melihat orang menjadikan hawa nafsunya sebagai tuhannya maka apakah kamu dapat menjadi pemeliharaannya?" Al-Furqan 25:43

Ketagihan, walau bagaimana kau memandangnya, ia tetap merugikan dan sangat membahayakan.

….

Antara ketagihan jijik lain yang menular dalam masyarakat kita adalah ketagihan pornografi.

Rata-rata remaja, baik sekolah agama sekalipun, tidak terlepas dari ketagihan ini. Lelaki mahupun perempuan. Bahkan, yang sudah berumah tangga juga ketagih yang sama. Mungkin lebih teruk dengan ketagihan pada perkara lain.

….

Masalah ketagihan sudah merebak disetiap lapisan umur. Ia ibarat virus jelek yang menjangkiti masyarakat kita. Baik si kecil sudah punyai ketagihan, apalagi yang dewasa. Kita sudah terlalu biasa dengan ketagihan, sudah terlalu lama, sehingga kita tidak nampak jalan keluar.

Akhirnya, kita menerimanya, dan merasakan ia, ‘biasa’….

Maka lahirlah generasi, demi generasi, yang GAGAL mengawal diri.

Berbalik pada soalan saya tadi,

“Siapa yang merasa ketagihannya itu membuang masa?”

Tidur lewat. Kerja tak siap. Jiwa kacau. Semua kerana melayan ketagihan.

Jadi itulah dia, bila kita melakukan perkara yang kita suka, kita tak nampak keburukannya.

….

Saudaraku,

Pertama sekali kita perlu jelas dan akui, bahawa kita memang punyai masalah ketagihan. Kerana dengan kita mengakuinya, baru kita boleh memikirkan cara untuk mengubatinya.

Jangan berdalih.

Jangan menipu diri sendiri.

Jujur dengan diri. Kita memang punyai ketagihan.

Kerana hanya yang mahukan pertolongan, yang akan ditolong.

….

Namun bukan mudah untuk membenci perkara yang kita suka kan?

Yang baik tidak dapat kita sembunyikan. Akal yang sihat pasti tak dapat menafikan.

Yang buruk tetap buruk.

Tinggalkannya.

Kedua, cari jalan penyelesaian.

Cari alternatif. Explore sport, books, humanitarian activities, travels, anything. Just get yourself busy and ENJOY doing it. Cari support group. Keluar dari persekitaran lama. Pindah jika mampu.

Sebab masalah ketagihan ini bukan masalah habit.

Ia masalah psychological, masalah biology badan.

It's ALL about dopamine.

Dopamine memberikan kita rasa seronok pada sesuatu perkara. Dan kita semakin lama, semakin ketagih padanya. Jika level dopamine tidak mencapai tahap seperti awalnya, kita akan tambahkan lagi. Tambahkan lagi. Lebih lama kau spend masa. Lebih banyak cabang kau mencuba.

Sebab itulah, you can't do this alone.

You've been having this addiction for years, ingat boleh keluar seorang diri?

Boleh, jika ia tidak kronik.

Tapi bagi yang dah kronik?

Get help.

Bina kekuatan untuk keluar. And this will definitely takes time.

Don't let you be defined by chemicals in your body.

You are human, NOT animals.

Ketiga, mujahadahlah.

Istiqomah. Bertahanlah. Bersabarlah.

Dan sabarlah, kerana sesungguhnya Allah tidak akan mensia-siakan pahala orang-orang yang berbuat kebaikan.
Hud 11:115

……

Easy said than being done kan? Tapi percayalah, pada awalnya memang terasa susah. Rasa hilang arah tuju. Bosan. Tak senang duduk. Jiwa kacau. Tapi yakinlah, ini yang terbaik. Allah akan menggantikan yang lebih baik. Dia tidak akan mensia-siakan hambaNya yang sedang memperbaiki diri.

Maka barangsiapa bertaubat sesudah melakukan kejahatan itu dan memperbaiki diri, maka sesungguhnya Allah menerima taubatnya. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Pengampun lagi Maha Penyayang.Al-Maidah 5:39

…..

Kita adalah sebahagian dari masyarakat ini, dan kita ini perlu peka dan sensitif. Masalah ketagihan bukan masalah baru. Bukan seorang dua yang kena.

Ini adalah masalah serius.

Berapa ramai pemuda bahkan yang tua terjerat sama?

Adik-adik kita, rakan-rakan, bahkan mungkin diri kita sendiri?

Kegagalan kita dalam menangani masalah ini membuatkan kita ‘terkejut beruk‘ bila ada kes-kes ketagihan luar biasa berlaku.

Kerana apa?

Kerana kita cuba untuk sweep it under the carpet bila melihat ketagihan-ketagihan ‘ringan’ berlaku. Buat-buat tak tahu. Bila sudah teruk, baru kau terkejut. Sedangkan awalnya, kau dan aku jelas perangai masyarakat kita bagaimana.

Semua ketagihan ada permulaannya. Dan lebih mudah untuk kita kawal ketagihan jika kita bendung nya dari awal.

….

Kau dan aku punya upaya untuk mengubah masyarakat.Janji kau jelas, punya semangat, persiapkan diri, maka tetaplah dengan prinsip itu. Berhikmahlah dengan langkahmu.

Kerana kau dan aku, adalah agen taghyir.

“Sesungguhnya Allah tidak akan mengubah keadaan suatu kaum sehingga mereka mengubah keadaan yang ada pada diri mereka sendiri” 

Al Ra’du 13:11

Aku kira tidak salah jika kita mengimpikan untuk punyai masyarakat yang mampu mengawal diri kan?

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Loser : By Phantom

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Greetings to all and I pray to Allah to shower you with loves, blessings, couple with good health.

InsyaAllah, with Allah’s love and care I’m back with an article. I heard few number of you guys were actually curious about me. I will remain as PHANTOM as for now because I still do not have the intention to disclose myself to public. I apologize for that and I ask for your understandings. *big smile*

Have you guys ever realized on the messages or I prefer it to be called gist of Suratul Asr? This is the surah that we recite each time we end a program alongside ‘tasbih kifarah’. However, how many of us are actually give attention on the contents of it? We all agree that Quran is our manual, therefore we should not neglect any of the surah as for this, just because it is a short surah with only three ayah. Surely I believe none of you will do that.

By time,
Indeed, mankind is in loss,
Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.
(Al Asr, 103)

 First of all, as you read the translation, it says by time. Why time? Time is actually the closest creation of Allah to us especially for students. It is something that we think of every seconds and it is valuable. Otherwise, people will not simply say, time is GOLD.  It has no start or even an end. This shows that this surah is relevant for all who are bounded and living in time. Don’t we? Yes we are! We all are stress thinking of deadlines and exams. Besides, we are also frightened with the thoughts on The Day of Judgment, because no one knows when it is except The Almighty Allah.

And then, Allah calls us as people who are in loss. In loss! Who likes to be called a loser? No one!! Every one of us wants to be a winner, a champion, and for that we are willing to do anything. As we are living in this world, it is actually more like a race. Doesn’t? In school, we want to be labelled as the smartest, in work place, we want to be the best worker, every year and in a group we desire to be a leader. Why is that so? Is there something wrong with our ‘wiring’? Why Allah created us this way?

Thinking of it, because we are wired this way, therefore no doubt this surah will boost our desire to learn why and how I can be favored by Him. When you believe that Allah is the only reason for everything, and it is only Him you want to please, absolutely you are eager to do anything to manifest your love to Him.

Certainly He is entirely Merciful, especially Merciful, He does not leave us hanging with all the worries and uncertainties. He conclude the surah with steps to success as a Muslim. Firstly, we will not be in loss if 1) we believed. Second is when we 2) do good deeds, then when we 3) advise each other to truth last but not least when we 4) advise each other to patience.

I really like how Allah mentions in Quran about those who believed and righteous deeds. These two always come together. It is kind of a package *grin*. Allah wants us to learn that, when we claim ourselves as the believers, it should be followed with righteous deeds. Therefore, it is not sufficient to believe without any demonstrations. Besides, the only way for us to keep track to our iman is via our actions. You know your iman is decreasing when you no longer feel content reading the Quran and the translations also when you no longer be able to engage in good practices as previously.

We did advise each other each day. Yes we did, I believe. However, in this surah we should advise each other to truth and patience in being a Muslim. As a Muslim, I admit each day we are dealing with obstacles and challenges. Not every one of us are lucky to have the opportunity to learn the truths and to be trained with patience. On the basis that we all are brothers and sisters, we should take care of each other.

While confronting with hardships, many of us drowned in emotions and not able to act patiently, to distinguish bad things, and decide things correctly. We might be a good person during the goody-goody days but the moment you face hard situations it is really hard to act calmly at the very first encounter. Commonly we will just react based on emotions. Thus, it is important for each one of us to serve as brothers or sisters who are supportive in terms of guiding and advising each other to truth and patience.

There is a hadith related to this surah.

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: The messenger of Allah said:
"Part of someone's being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him."
(hadith narrated by Termithi and others)

Again, leave all those unnecessary stuffs. And if you ever wonder what will be the substitutions. All the above are in. *big smile*

MasyaAllah, thank you for your time to read this article. May Allah bless you and may this benefits both sides, me, writer and you, readers.

Written by:
Phantom

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Du'a: The Greatest Weapon for The Believing Heart

Peace be upon you. Hoping that you are doing well despite of whatever worldly matter you are facing  and whatever worldly matter that is keeping you busy. Actually, I have so many things on my to-do-list and frankly confessing, deadlines are haunting me even in day light, scarier than ghost stories. Even so, I decided to escape the fiction of the world for this moment, and here am I in another sharing post on 'Dua'. Why? Because just a while ago, Allah has given me a surprise gift of encouragement, through my best friend, Ai (not her real name) in response to my desperate SOS Dua.

WARNING! Skip the italic part if you are not into stories. Read if you appreciate my writing. ^_^

The story of today will begin with the trigger. Homesickness. Don't laugh, judge or even bash me for this because if it was not because of this, I would have no inspiration in writing on this new post. And yes, homesickness is striking me in every of my free time that I had to keep my schedule busy or sleep to not think about it. It's not that I am living overseas to be this crazily and absent-mindedly missing my home all the time, but I still feel it, somehow.

Okay, and what Dua has got to do with this? The story will continue. I prayed to Allah desperately in my heart, 'I want to go back home, to my family, Ya Rabbi. You know how am I feeling right now..." And looking at the schedule, out of any other weekend, why is it that it must be THAT weekend, a charity visit was scheduled? Trying to change my place with someone else but ended up, in greater disappointment. I stubbornly checked the flight ticket and told myself, "I would not mind. Even if it is expensive..." and for all the three major flight company that I used to go back with, on that particular date, for all hours, were 'SOLD OUT'. I was so sad. And I told myself, 'It's okay Anne, it's okay. There must be good reason for this. There must be a great explanation for this. All the positive side of me, thankfully, came flying into my mind, trying to calm me down, remind me of Allah who is the Greatest of All. 

I sat on the Sajadah for quite a long time after my Zuhur prayer, reflecting and in the same time, I extended my hand and I told Allah. "Ya Rahim. this is no big deal. I'm fine of not going back but please keep everyone in my home town safe and healthy. Even though seeing me crying this hard, trying so hard, yet you are still not making it possible for me to find the remedy for this homesickness. Even so, I believe in YOU. My heart believes in YOU. If YOU have to decide to keep me here a little longer, YOU'll definitely protect me and care about me even more. That, I am sure. I feel save with YOU as my guardian, so whatever that you put for me, I'll accept it as it is.... But. right now, what should I do? I don't want to leave this Musolla. I feel so tired, because going out of this room would means that, I have to go back to the life of 'Never-ending Assignments and Deadlines'. Should I go out, shopping for groceries? Should I cook something homey taste? But I planned to do my AirTopic, should I just postpone that? Help me Ya Allah, I don't have any courage to go on..."

While thinking, still sitting, I was looking through the wall ahead of me, blanking alone when suddenly, I heard someone was calling my name, and before I could turn, I felt a peck on my cheek. I was surprised and looked at that person who was leaving, it was Ai. She was rushing to leave and without exchanging words, we gave each other a hug and that I felt a sudden rush of encouragement from what had just happened. (Smiling) All that I could think at that moment was Allah. "Is this your way of encouraging me?" I asked in my heart. "Well, Allah never fails in making me feel better..."

That was the reply to my Dua. Well, it may not sounds like the Dua we made after Solah to you, it may not sounds cool as it's not in Arabic but let me clarify something here. The definition to Dua is to call out for Allah and it could also mean the conversation we have with Allah, may it be when you are alone, or may it be when you are only saying it in your heart.

Allah is the Greatest, we all know that. No doubt. One of the greatness of HIM is the unending love and His mercy He has on us. Making us into a Khalifah in this world and in the role that we had to carry, difficulties and tests greet us every seconds, sometimes we felt down and discouraged and there would be time, we can't help but question, 'Why is it that to live for Allah is this difficult? Why can't I just live like others?. Sometimes we have to leave something that we like. Not just like, but like so super duper much. And sometimes, we have even have to walk away from something that we love. If you have felt like this before, you'll know how, once in a while, the unexplainable frustration within you just strike and push you down to the ground. Maybe you don't, but I do feel so.

But, our Lover Ar-Rahim did not just leave us in this battlefield. HE provides us with a great weapon in this fight. The best weapon ever existed in the history of life. It is invisible, it is not heavy, it is not something that we need to carry and all, it is a weapon that can change what is destined.

Rasulullah PBUH has said that, "What is destined cannot be averted except through Dua" 

Don't you feel that this is super cool? It is. You know what, I used to feel that Harry Potter's world is super awesome. Man, you can just do everything, like everything, if you could remember all of the spells in the Book of Charms for all edition in your five years of study in Hogwarts, but there is no spell to change what has been destined has been recorded (Sorry for those who has no idea about what I am writing about, but just know that there is such fiction book). And they need wand, but we just have to extend our hands. That weapon is Dua. And Allahu Rabbi has promised to answer them all. The thing is that, it is only immediately, or later. And Dua is also answered in the form that we are averted from difficulty or given as a reward in the Hereafter.

Dear comrades, Allah loves those who pray and ask from Him. If you ever ask this in your life, "How do I make Allah love me?" Then, one of the answer is make Dua. Because with that, we pleased HIM. That is what He want. Why would you ask help from someone else, who is just like you, when you have the Creator of this universe, available for you 24 hours, waiting for you, to go and ask from HIM? This weapon that we are talking, if used often, it makes the heart peaceful. Why? Because when we make Dua, properly, with all of our emotions, somehow, we are putting on our trust to Allah and that will make us realize how small we are, how weak we are as His servants. We cannot be weak as human because we have a battle to win. But we are weak, as Allah's servants. Not asking from HIM, abandoning the weapon He provided us with. Doesn't that make you an arrogant servant?

In the holy Al-Quran in Surah Gafir (40), verse 60

And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible"

And, in making Dua, do it properly. Start with 'Bismillah', Send blessings to our Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his family, praise Allah, admit our sins, and asked from HIM with all of our heart, believe in HIM. Believe that somehow, though things look impossible, believe that He'll help and sort out things for you. Dua in every conditions in your daily life. Ask and converse with Allah. A person who make Dua with his or her emotions, they will never feel lonely because Allah will always attend to them. Allah will remember you if you remember HIM.

Writing this, it is a reminder to me. Sometimes, this may be just a trivial matter for you. You've heard this so many times. But, I don't care. I'll write and keep on writing if that could be a reminder, because human tends to forget. In the world that has kept us busy for things that doesn't last long, sometimes, no, I mean all the time, we easily forget. 

Let's now stop forgetting and start to remind each other. To use the weapon with a heart that believes. This weapon helps in every aspect of life here and after.

Sometimes, we feel down and tired, maybe not because we are not strong enough to face it, but it must  be because we have forgotten to lean on Allah. We forgot that we need to keep on asking from HIM. 

Pray to Allah for His mercy, ask from His to place us in His heaven, pray for everything and have great faith that you prayers would be answered.

Today, my Dua was answered immediately. That moment, I couldn't just stop smiling. My love for Allah grows and it made me want to love HIM more. He always know what I need. Sometimes, even when I didn't ask, He give it all though. Can you imagine what would He do and how would He response if you ask from HIM? He wold have give you something even more beautiful.

Well, I'm still lacking of many things, but every seconds is a new chance to me and also to you. We cannot run from making sins and mistakes, I feel sad when I did something bad or something that Allah hates, but the fact that He would forgive as long as we ask for His forgiveness, make me realize how Great and Great Allah is. Stand up dear comrades, grab your weapon and let's continue fighting in this battle with even a greater strength than before. As long as the heart is beating for Allah, as long as you hold dearly and believe in Allah, with the weapon, we could fight any barrier that comes ahead. InshaAllah. 

That's all from me today. I hope you found something good from this post and if you do, it is from Allah for sure. And in all the mistakes you could point out, then, it is my lacking and I apologize for that. 

Written by:
AnneZR

p/s: A lover like Allah, with surprises and unexpected events in a tiring day, how could we not love HIM more than any other things? HE waters your wilted smile and make it bloom beautifully like flowers, so let's keep standing though wind is strongly blowing.

pp/s: Credit to someone who told me, 'Things can be impossible, but not for the believing heart..." If you are reading, I bet you are smiling. Anyway, thanks for coming and talked nonsense with me on my stressful evening. And I believe that comes from Allah.

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Shake the Trunk : By Phantom

Peace be upon you! Hey, It's Anne again here. Anyway, keep reading because great news is here to greet you. Tired with AnneZR's style of writing that was always went out of the railway? Tired with too much storylines in my entries? Want something fresh, new and different. Don't think twice but click on this post tiltled, "Shake The Trunk". We got a new writer in the house, called "Phantom" and be ready to be haunted. Here goes what Phantom sent to me to be shared with you all.

Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Greetings to all and I pray to Allah to shower you guys with loves, blessings, couple with good health.

In the name of Allah The compassionate, The merciful.

And [the example of] Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity, so We blew into [her garment] through Our angel, and she believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.

At Tahrim.66:12

Many of us are familiar with the story of Maryam. An exemplary woman mentioned in the Quran. She is the daughter of Imran and she is the mother of Isa A.S. Allah mentioned her name few times in the Quran and her stories are recorded for us as examples.

MasyaAllah, she is such a great figure in Islam. And this is one of the reasons on why we should not mistreat and look down on women. They hold a great position in our life. Could you ever imagine your life without a figure named mother? The patience, undivided and unconditional love. Mother is willing to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her sons/daughter well-being and happiness. Sometimes, mothers don’t even care of themselves. How great mother’s love isn’t? Just like how Allah loves us. Allah is giving us all the good things and He is willing to forgive us as soon as we realized that we made mistakes and quickly repent and reflect upon that.

Now, have you ever asking yourself why Allah created Jannah and Jahannam? Well, as we all know, Jannah is created for those who did good deeds and obey to Allah’s rules, and Jahannam is for those who refused to bow their heads down and being ignorant as well as arrogant to obey to Allah’s rules and even worse despite knowing, still denied and act as if you didn’t learn the truths. Subhanallah, may Allah protect us from being such a ruthless and ungrateful human being.

          However, if you think carefully, Allah created Jannah and Jahannam as a motivation for us. A drive force! A pushing factor! (Either way you want it to be). Don’t you think so? Take it this way. Imagine your mother is offering you a candy if you clean your room. Won’t you do it immediately? That’s it! Jannah is your drive force!

Jahannam, Allah created it and told the stories on how wretched the hellfire to serve as our resting place, after you read about it from the Quran will you still dare to do sinful acts? Definitely not! We learnt to pursuit good things and dislike discomfort things. That’s in us. A biological trait. Because Allah is our creator and He knows best of us. That’s why He designed it that way. 

And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.

Maryam. 19:25

          Let’s get back to the story of Maryam, in the surah named after her, I personally really like this verse. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to share with all of you.

          Look carefully at the verse, Allah said to Maryam, shake the TRUNK of the palm tree. Have you ever see a palm tree? How big is the trunk? How hardy it is? Imagine yourself, told by your friend to shake the tree and the fresh dates will fall. Surely, you need to be strong to do so. And some of us might say that this is a crazy act, surely the dates won’t fall. Why are you wasting times on such thing? Etc.

Then, what is exactly Allah wants us to learn from this?

This is TAWAKKAL! The moment you are so sure things are really impossible to happen is the moment where you should put all your hopes and faith in Allah. Look at how Maryam understood the concept of tawakkal and she did as what she was told. Even though others who didn’t fully understand and learn about tawakkal will claim the actions as insane, we as the Believer, should not be discouraged. Just like how you need to be strong to shake the trunk, build the courage and trust Allah. Allah is always with us and HE will never leave us.

          As you can see, this is only an ayah. Many more to come (With Allah’s will). Read the Quran as well as the translations. That’s the way for us to learn and as what we continuously being reminded, Quran is our manual. Will you operate your life with no guidance? This is a long journey. Surely you need a GPS. *smirk*

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers."

Az zumar. 39:55-56

MasyaAllah, thank you for reading. May this sharing benefit both sides. You, the reader and me the writer.

Written by: 

Phantom 

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Patience With All Things

May peace be upon you wherever you are. It's me again, on my second entry in March and I am hoping that you are still keeping updated with our MSOC blog.  Right now, the sun is setting and the picturesque view of the sky never fails in reminding me to Allah, Alhamdulillah and Subhanallah, what a great creation the sky is if you ever noticed. 

Before I started, let me clarify something here. One of my friend, who happened to read my previous entries, carefully, thoughtfully, seriously, professionally told me, 

"I think you should cut out some of your nonsense and go straight to the point. It's good to write on some, but not too much. I'm lost while reading..."

(Laughing) Okay, I bet, if you have read my previous entries before, you may be having the same thoughts as him. BUT. Let me just BRIEFLY explain myself. I want you to read as if you are listening and I'm writing as if I'm talking. Let's be carefree here. Stop frowning and enjoy reading. Let's not read with brain but heart. So, young ladies, young man and all, bear with me for a while. It's not wrong reading pretty and sweet nonsense, am I right? Just like what the title said, "Patience With All Thing"

Just recently, my mom called. As usual she asked, "How are you doing?" Listening to her voice, her lovely voice, I realized how I've been crazily missing her. It has been nearly three months I was away from home and things, obstacles just kept on appearing one after another as if they are meant to bring me down. I told my mother, "Ma, I don't know how I'm going through next week..." That summed up all. I couldn't go on because the tears could break any time.  My mom calmly told me, "Remember Allah, Remember Allah, and be patience with the tests. The test is from Allah, the hardship is from Allah. Ask for HIS help, Ask for HIM to look after you, Ask for HIM to ease things ahead, and in HIS will you'll be fine..." I told her "Okay..." But ended up crying after our phone conversation end.

And when Monday arrived and when Tuesday followed, MashaAllah, only Allah knows what was inside me. Assignments, classes, practicals, REPORTS, and all. Ya Rabbi, Ya Rabbi, Ya Rabbi. I kept on saying that throughout the day, feeling so impossible. You know like you keep on running, but somehow never reach the final line. Okay, do you think I'm taking things too seriously here? You may have your own tests and mine may look nothing to you. But trust me, you would not last a day in my shoes same as how I would not last a day in yours. Going to IMU and nothing was settled, coming back home and nothing get better. Finishing one thing, here comes three things. When you have so many things bulking inside, trying to get someone to talk about nonsense so that you can divert your stress mind somewhere else but no one was available. Just because everyone was in their toughest time too. Being over sensitive, hurt, angry and all. I nearly lose myself a moment ago. Everyone has gone super tired and reaching their limits. And in this situation, to get through all this, patience is the only answer. Because every good times and hard times pass. They are meant to pass. The pain and the hardship will pass. Sometimes later, we may even forget it all. So, we just have to be a little more patience.

I came across a conversation of Hanne and Frann in the 'The Life Journal of Anne Song'.

Frann: Hey, are you okay?

Hanne: I'm good. Better than ever.

Frann: Women always say the opposite thing of what they felt, and you are not excluded sister.

Hanne: Okay, I'm so mad right now. Why? Don't ask. Because I may ended up cursing people.

Frann: (laughing)You are holding it in? That's good. 

Hanne: I'm just trying to be thoughtful and considerate. I am having hard time, but others may be having even a harder time. So, I'm trying to be patience with whatever that is happening around me. Tolerate and be undertanding...

And after saying that Anne turned away from her brother, looking at the ceiling to control her tears and continued, "But it is very hard to be patience, you know. Why is it that it's always me who has to deal with this kind of situation that need patience? Why is that it's always me who has to give in? It's not fair..." And Anne ended up crouching on the floor, hugging both her knees and sobbed silently.

Reading that, I know exactly how she felt.
But do you know what Frann told her? Something that make not only her sister felt better, but, also me the one who was reading. He said

"Don't you feel good trying to be patience and considerate to people? Many has been given chance to be patience, but not many who choose to be one. Indeed it is hard, indeed there are people like you, who cry holding your anger, who cry trying to be patient. But remember, in Surah Ali-Imran verse 146, Allah surely loves those who are Sabireen. And with the Decree of Allah, He gives reward to those who are patient. Isn't it a very good deal for you? Things that relate to Allah, there is no such thing as unfairness existed, dear. Your patience is never overlooked.."

It is true. In all things that happened and is happening, it is from Allah. He is the Greatest of All. Ask from him, lean on HIM, believe HIM, do this for HIM, do this because we want HIM to love us more.

Patience is not just when we are angry.  It is in everything, in all things in life. Patience with human, patience with our studies, patience with our works and even patience with ourselves.

I am the center of my world and people who surrounds me should have taken great effort in taking care of my heart and not trying to hurt me. That is true. But everyone is the center of their world too, and I may be one of the people who surround them, who may even have hurt them before. Living with each other, we support each other, we should be a little more thoughtful and patience with each other. There are things and there are situations which I believe, we will have to silently step backward or we should have tone down a little bit, understanding their condition so that we would not be acting without thinking. There are always that kind of case in which our toleration and considerations are much more needed, in that lies patience.

In the case of studies, we are all aware of that. No matter how many, how impossible things look, how hard things are, never lose faith in Allah. It doesn't mean you could just close your eyes and hope for your complicated Genomic Journal to be miraculously done the day after when you wake up, saying that you are being patience. No. Goodness. No. Effort. Anything needs effort. Even if you want Allah to help you, you must help yourself too. Our LOVER, Ya Rahim would definitely help, but not right away. Like parents who let their young baby to stand by his own and if he or she stood, they will always be behind or in front of the baby, just in case he or she fall. And if he or she did fall, the parents are there, to catch him or her. Just like that and maybe in a way that we never expected, Allah is just there, Allah is just here for you. So, be patient.

Ibnul Qayyim said that patience is the ability to stop ourselves from despairing, to refrain from complaining and to control ourselves in times of sadness and worry. And Ali ibn Abu Talib defined patience as 'Seeking God's help"
So, you can reflect yourself here friends and comrades. Are you being patient as you go through life challenges? If not, it's okay. Keep trying. Let this be another mission that you would love to accomplish, to learn to be patient. Always turn to Allah. Always see Allah first. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him also said, "Whoever tries to be patient then Allah will help him to be patient..."

I think I need to go now. There are many other things to settle and coming here to write, I feel much better. I hope you get something from this entry. Everything that is bad is from me and all that is good is from Allahu Rabbi. Thanks for listening.

Anne ZR

P/s: Sorry to that fellow friend of mine, I guess I was writing even longer junk stories than the main thing today. Hope you didn't get confuse. Pardon me if you do.
Pp/s: Did you see the sky tonight? It's dark. But stay watching, stay looking, somehow you'll see shining stars. That's the price of your patience.
Ppp/s: Special credit to my course mates who are having terrible yet lovable time struggling with deadlines of assignments. If you happen to read this, just feel special and burn more fuel to strive for the night!! And dear housemates, thanks for being by my side along this journey. It would have been even harder without you guys around. For the one who had lunch with me in front of 1.10 today ^_^ . For those who eat pizza with me for dinner, tonight. ^_^ For one who is in the house, keeping me accompany ^_^. I thank Allah for sending you all in my life. Let's be patience these coming weeks for Allah.

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