Crying out aloud.

"Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own presence, for Thou art the grantor of bounties without measure"

(Suraah Al-Emran, 8)

When I came to this Deen, I can still remember how I would cry each time I read the Qu'ran. I cried because I was reading the truth, the word of God, and I wondered why it took me so long to finally realise it. Al Qu'ran explained everything simply and it made complete sense as well.

But we are living in this age whereby there are people who are constantly trying to pull you to falsehood. They invent lies against this Deen to create doubts in our hearts. Media is ubiquitious and we cannot run from their constant false potrayal about Islam. To stray from this Deen is easy when our eemaan has shaky foudations and I fear if I am one of those whose Deen is not strongly rooted to the ground.

I fear for myself that if I don't safeguard myself properly, I fall into this trap of shaitan. I fear that someday I would find the life of this duniya more attractive to the life of the akhirah and I forget about this Deen. I don't wish to live like in the times of jahiliyyah where life has no proper purpose except to chase after the glitters in this temporary world.

This is taken from a khutbah:

This problem is more severe now because of the exceptional case that Muslims live in this age and that is living in non-Islamic societies where they are not ruled by the divine rules and where the deen of Allah (S.W.T.) is not prevalent over the lives of people.... To the point that the status of a person is like what the prophet (S.A.W.) described, "Holding onto
his deen is like holding onto ember (a burning piece of coal)."

Also the other reason for a believer not to remain firm on the deen is Building the firmness in the deen of Allah (S.W.T.) on the heart which is not stable and always changing about which the prophet (S.A.W.) said in an authentic hadith reported by Imams Ahmad and Al-Hakim, "The heart of the son of Adam is up to be more unstable than the boiling water in a pot." The prophet also said about it in another authentic hadith reported by Imam Ahmad, "It was called "al’qalb" (meaning the heart) from "Taqalub" because of its changing nature; the example of the heart is like a feather at the trunk of a tree that the wind keeps turning it upside down." For this reason, the prophet (S.A.W.) used to supplicate frequently which was reported in an authentic hadith by Imam At-Trimithi saying, "O’ Allah, The One Who changes hearts, make my heart firm on your deen."

O Allah, always keep us on the straight path
O Allah, don't leave us astray when You have guided us on this right path.
O my Rabb....

Note: No objective in this post. Just to let out my concerns and worries.

Current Addiction

Beautiful Recitation Mishary Rashid Alafasy Surah Ibraheem

Rules rules rules

Everything there are rules. Road rules, football rules, library rules etc. Have you ever wonder if there are rules in life? How should one live their life? How does one differentiate the good and bad? Looking at the society, how some treasure modesty greatly while others sell their modesty. So who knows the good and bad?

"Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.(255)" Al Baqara

The rules in life is written clearly in the Holy Qur'an, the words of Allaah The Almighty, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as a guidance to mankind.

"Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Qur'ân) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself, and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad SAW) are not a Wakîl (trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian) over them. (41)" Az Zumar

"There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.(38)" Al Anaam

The wisdom of the laws (rules) that we are to follow, some have been known and some have yet to reach to an understanding to us. An example is the wisdom behind the prohibition of interest which have been known. The strict prohibition of interest in Islam is a result of its deep concern for the moral, social, and economic welfare of mankind. One of it is it causes the rich to become richer and the poor to become poorer.

Let us not be among the ignorant and the disbelievers. If the Message of Truth has been brought to us, we ought to obey in humbleness and submissiveness.

"And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses. (83) "And why should we not believe in Allâh and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islâmic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions radhiallahu'anhuã)." (84) So because of what they said, Allâh rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers). (85)" Al Maeda

Islam is not just a faith, it is a way of life based upon Truth. Being a Muslim is not just declaring it by tongue, rather it should be declared fully in our heart, working on righteousness, obeying God's laws. For Muslim means one who submits (to God's will).

"…This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion…(3)" Al Maeda

Prepare now in worship and righteousness for we do not know if tomorrow ever comes to us.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 425:

"Narrated Mujahid:

'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." The sub-narrator added: Ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death." "

"So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).(98) And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).(99)" Al Hijr

My niqaab experience

A year ago, I told a sister that wearing niqaab is not for me. Why cover my face when it is not fard? There is no need to, I said. I don’t wish to be extreme in my religion when Islam is easy. Can they even breathe in the niqaab? I doubt it. Can they even see where they are going? I don’t want to bet on it.

A year later, I am thinking otherwise. When I started reading up about the niqaab, I began to understand the wisdom behind it. My perception about the niqaab started to change and also, I began meeting other niqaabi sisters online who would talk about it passionately. I learned a lot about the niqaab from sisters who wear it on a daily basis rather than the media which would paint a negative image of it being oppressive to others.

Two days before Eid, I decided veil my face for the first time when I went to the musolla for iftaar. The whole day when I was in school, the only thing on my mind was how I would look in a niqaab . The thought of wearing niqaab along with the many niqaab pictures that I had it displayed almost everywhere i.e. facebook, msn, handphone, started to overwhelm me. I said to myself, that’s it. I am going to wear it today.

I took the longest black shawl that I had and tried to fashion it into a niqaab. The many failed attempts before were either too tight that it obstructed my breathing or it was so loose that it kept falling off. This time, everything fitted perfectly. I stared at the mirror for a split second and without second thoughts I walked out of the house.

A few months ago when I was trying to get comfortable with wearing abaya when I am out, it would take at least 15 minutes to decide if I should walk out of the house in those ‘sack-like clothes’. We all know how shaitan loves whispering into our ears the minute we decide to do a good deed and we would end up thinking twice on doing it.

I walked out, heads high at first and all prepared to face any criticisms or insults that I was expecting to come my way. I walked across the carpark towards the residential college and the moment I saw students wandering around, I felt my hand creeping up the brooch that held the niqaab together. My heart was pumping rapidly, hands clammy despite the cool breeze.

I gave in. The brooch came off and the niqaab came apart. I guess I wasn’t as strong as I had been when I first left the house. Feeling dejected that I gave into my fears, I walked quickly to the musolla with my face uncovered.

After a few steps, I heard a voice in my head: You are afraid of Allah’s creations. Put your trust in Him.

I worry about people’s opinions when in truth; their opinions don’t and shouldn’t matter much. Only Allah matters and if I am doing it for His sake, then pleasing Him would reap rewards but pleasing people reaps no benefits.

With that, I grabbed the end of the shawl, wrapped it again and pinned it nicely to the side. In the country that I am in at the moment, wearing hijaab can be relatively difficult especially in certain areas where people are quite racist. I had my share of these inane bunch of people who would throw insults about my hijaab and then run off like cowards. So what difference would it make then if I cover myself with extra cloth?

The rest of my walk to the musolla went smoothly and I felt a little more confident with each step I took. I met a few people along the way but I averted my gaze so I cannot really gauge the reaction from them. In any case, I decided that it shouldn’t matter much anyway.

I would love to wear it again if I have the proper niqaab. Alhamdulillah, I am in the process of getting some soon inshallah. I like the feeling of being beneath the veil and not being stared by strange men. I do have a few reservations about wearing it full time because of opposition from family mainly and also other factors like wearing in the workforce in the future. I know that Allah gives rezqi but I am only 50-60% confident about where my direction would be if I wear it full time. Inshallah, time will tell for me.

It would definitely be against the norm of the society but we should remember that our lives revolve around the Qu’ran and sunnah and not the other way round. We do not compromise our beliefs and practises so that we can conform to everyone else.

May Allah make it easy for everyone on His path, Aameen!

Signs of Weak Imaan

Posted by: Zee Salik

SIGNS OF WEAK IMAAN

1) Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.

2) Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.

3) Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat

4) Neglecting the Sunnah.

5) Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.

6) Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.

7) Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.

8) Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.

9) Desiring status and wealth.

10) Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.

11) Ordering others to do good deeds when not practicing them ourselves.

12) Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others

13) Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.

14) Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.

15) Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.

16) Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.

17) Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.

18) Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.

19) Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.

20) Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.Please share this note with your friends and post it in your profile too.

SIGN OF WEAK IMAAN (translated to Bahasa, Indonesian Language)Tanda-tanda Melemahnya IMAAN

1) Melakukan hal berdosa dan tidak memiliki perasaan bersalah.

2) Memiliki kekerasan hati dan tidak memiliki keinginan untuk membaca Quran.

3) Merasa terlalu malas untuk melakukan perbuatan baik, seperti terlambat melaksanakan sholat

4) Mengabaikan Sunnah.

5) Memiliki perasaan gamang, seperti kecewa akan hal-hal kecil, merasa terganggu dan jengkel dalam sebagian besar waktu.

6) Tidak merasakan apapun ketika mendengar ayat-ayat dari Quran, misalnya, ketika Allah memperingatkan kita akan hukumanNya dan janjiNya tentang berita baik.

7) Mengalami kesulitan dalam mengingat Allah dan melakukan dhikr.

8) Tidak merasa bersalah bila melakukan hal yang bertentangan dengan Syariah.

9) Lebih mementingkan status dan kekayaan.

10) Menjadi sangat pelit, seperti tidak menginginkan bagian dari kekayaan/kemakmuran.

11) Memerintahkan orang lain untuk melakukan perbuatan baik tetapi tidak mempraktekkannya untuk diri mereka sendiri.

12) Merasa senang ketika sesuatu tidak berjalan baik bagi orang lain.

13) Hanya peduli pada sesuatu yang halal atau haram saja, tetapi tidak menghindari hal-hal makro (yang tidak disarankan).

14) Memperolok orang-orang yang melakukan perbuatan baik yang dianggap sederhana, seperti membersihan masjid.

15) Tidak merasa prihatin dengan situasi umat Islam.

16) Tidak merasa tanggung jawab untuk melakukan sesuatu untuk memajukan Islam.

17) Tidak dapat mengatasi hal yang menyedihkan, misalnya berteriak dan menangis di pemakaman.

18) Menyukai perdebatan hanya sekadar untuk berargumentasi tanpa didasari bukti.

19) Menjadi asyik dan sangat terlibat dengan dunia, hal duniawi, seperti merasa sedih ketika kehilangan sesuatu yang bersifat kebendaan.

20) Menjadi asyik dan obsesif akan diri sendiri

Our new blog!

Salam alaikom

Eid Mubaarak to our dear brothers and sisters from all of us!

Taqabbal Allaahu minnaa wa minkum

We hope that you, my dear brother or sister reading this, is in the best of health and eeman inshallah!

This blog was launched in June this year but the four of us had other work/study commitments along with lots of procrastination, we started to blog only recently. We have different interests so varied topics would be posted in this blog inshallah.

We are looking forward to meet more sisters inshallah! : )

Wa alaikom salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh