Friday, November 27, 2009

The Last Sermon (Khutbah) of The Prophet PBUH




In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful


After praising, and thanking Allah the Prophet s.a.w said:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people".


This sermon was delivered on the 9th Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca).


Just something for us to ponder upon..

Eid Mubarak everyone... Let us reflect back on the seerah of Prophets of the past, learn the lessons contained in them for the future.

>> sorry for the lack of update this month. I'm currently tying to climb up the mountain again, after a slight fall (figuratively speaking - not that i tumble down or anything). Please pray for me..

May Allah bless all of us.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Missing You…



When you miss someone, what did you do?

When you feel alone, how did you cope?


Get back to Allah. He alone may help overcome these feelings. If you feel that the 'someone' left an empty void in your heart, try to fill that void with Allah's love. Try to do things which brings you closer to Him.


What sort of things? Anything, actually. Anything that is useful as an 'amal' that brings us closer to Allah. From praying and reading the Quran to reading books and thinking of His creations.



Try to realize that… no matter where you are, no matter how lonely you feel… Allah is always there. Every second of the day. Assisting you through everyday tasks, for every step you take, and every miniscule of oxygen you inhale. He knows your fears, your weaknesses, your hopes… everything that makes you 'you'. Inside out. Hence, you are never alone, actually. Never alone, for He is always there for you.



When you try to find someone whom you can share… to Him you should turn. When you want to pour out your fears, to Him you should go. When you try to find someone to trust, in Him you can trust. No worries… He will never break the trust. And trust… that Allah has put you in a situation that He knows is best for you. Remember that no matter how bleak things are, there is always something for you to be grateful of to Him.



>> actually… this post is written by me… to myself. A reminder for myself, basically. To face the future with a smile, and yes, to remind me… that no matter how bad things seem to be, Allah is always by my side. (^_^)


Sorry if the paragraphing is somewhat weird. I'm a bit disoriented currently. Please pray that I stand strong.



May Allah bless!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Silent Sunlight

A nasyeed I love since secondary school. An appropriate nasyeed for the exam week, i think.
Silent Sunlight
Lyrics by: Yusuf Islam
Sung by: Dawud Wharnsby Ali






La ilaha illallah
La ilaha illallah

Silent sunlight welcome in, there is work I must now begin,
All my dreams have blown away.
And the children wait to play,
They'll soon remember things to do,
When the heart is young and the night is done and the sky is blue.

La ilaha illallah
La ilaha illallah

Morning song bird sail away,
Lend a tune to another day,
Bring your wings and choose a roof,
Sing a song of love and truth.

We'll soon remember if you do,
When all things were tall,
And our friends were small,
And the world was new.

La ilaha illallah
La ilaha illallah

Sleepy horses heave away,
Put your backs to the golden hay,
Don't ever look behind at the work you've done,
For your work has just begun.

Ther'll be the evening in the end,
But till that time arrives,
You can rest your eyes,
And begin again.

La ilaha illallah
Silent sunlight
La ilaha illallah
Morning sun
La ilaha illallah
Silent sunlight welcome in.

Work hard.. till the evening arrive. The evening = death. A Mu'min strives his hardest, no matter what. Trying the best we can, in everything we do..

Friday, October 30, 2009

How Much Do We Care??






I read about her speech in an email this morning, and decide to look for the speech in YouTube. Severn Cullis-Suzuki, a girl who, at the age of 12, had tried to raise awareness in the environment and poverty in front of leaders in a UN meet in 1992.

Go ahead and listen to the speech... it sure made one ponder a lot.

Allah had made us as khalifah of this earth. Yet, did we take on this responsibility and take good care of what we have, our surroundings and the world? Or did we forget this responsibility and follow our nafs, doing as we like, not caring of the impacts that our actions may have on our surroundings and the future?

A mukmin does not only care for himself... He cares for his brothers in Islam, for mankind, and for the earth which he dwells. Take time to reflect and ponder... how much have we done, and how much can we do, to help save the environment and help the needy around us. And then? Take ACTION!

Some food for thought for all of us... me, and all the readers here. May Allah bless...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Way To Paradise




I had read an article on Paradise (jannah) recently... the descriptions of jannah is indeed so very lovely. Here is a verse from the Quran:
The description of Paradise which the Muttaqûn (pious) have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels? (47:15)
Really... I truly wish to go there. A place devoid of anger, hurt and cruelty. A place filled with believers, from the time of the beginning till the end of time. Most importantly, a place where the Muttaqun is able to meet His Lord and His Prophet PBUH.

But have I done enough to gain the ticket to enter paradise? Have I strived hard enough to gain Allah's pleasure, enabling me to pass through the bridges of 'sirat' and go into the paradise? Is my good deeds sincere enough, and is my bad deeds forgiven by Allah, so that my scale (mizan) will weigh to my favour?

Scared? Yes, I am. For there is a possibility that i might not taste the pleasures of Jannah. Yet, I trust that Allah never turn down His servants who tried their best to obtain His pleasure. Hence, as long as I am try and keep trying to do what He pleases, and be a good servant, I hope He will count me in as a Mu'min and muttaqin. Keep going, holding on to al-Quran and Sunnah as the guidebook in this complicated life... may He accept me as an obedient servant to Him...

Allâh has promised the believers -men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme success.


Keep trying till the end!
May Allah bless all of us...
and may we attain His pleasure and Paradise at the end of the journey..


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Translation Tips



I was thinking of doing some translation this holidays.
So, i Googled up some translating tips, and found these tips:

Translate meaning not words!
Rely on your wits and savvy - it can prove to be helpful when translating a difficult text
Ask a specialist or a native speaker to proofread your translation so that it sounds natural
Never accept a project which you know is not within your abilities
Skills and translation expertise come with time - remember it!
Language nuances do matter when making a professional translation
A good translation is worth taking time for!
The way documents are organized in one country may not be understood in another
Emulate the original style of the author, be it humorous, wordy, with colloquial or scientific language, etc
.


which is sort of interesting... I just want to share this with all of you. You just never know when these sort of info might come in handy.

Yes, i know. It's not yet holiday, and yet I've made a few plans already. I can't wait for holidays. But hey... i do study for my exams. (^_^)

All the best to every one who is also suffering the exam fever. Put your trust in Allah, and do your best.

Btw... if you are stressed out, do something else for a while to relax yourself. But make sure that you do something useful. In a way, writing this (and yes, Googling the tips) was my way of taking a break. Remember, don't waste time, for time is life.

Take care of yourself, imaan and amal. May Allah bless.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Relating to Allah’s Messenger





I am in need of a break from my books. Hence I decide to write this up. A short summary of Chapter four in 'In the Early Hours' by ust Khurram Murad. Let us try to relate our life to the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH…


As a servant to Allah, we are asked to put the teachings of al-Quran into practice. Yet, how can this be done? The only way to live life according to the Quran, is by living our life as the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH had done. His example was the surest guide to the Quran's meanings and Messege.


In a sense, the Quran provides the essential framework for mankind, but the Prophet PBUH and his sunnah provides the details of the framework. If you desire to know what type of person the Quran wants you to be, and what type of society the Quran wants you to create, you only need to look at the Prophet's life history.


Knowing the prophet's history, or seerah, however, is not enough. We require inner strength to follow the Quranic teachings. We need to have the real flavour of faith inside our hearts. A strength which comes out of the love a believer must have for Allah and His Messenger.


Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported, that the messenger of Allah, PBUH said:

There are three types of people who will experience the sweetness of faith: he to whom Allah and his messenger are dearrer than all else; he who loves a human being for the sake of Allah alone; and he who has great abhorrance of returning to unbelief after Allah has rescued him from it as he has of being cast into hell. (Bukhari, Muslim)


This love is not merely due to faith. But it is a love that is above all other types of love, making faith penitrate into the heart. Through this love, one is able to taste the sweetness of faith. The way to this love, and the symbol of this love lies in followong the footsteps of the Prophet, PBUH, who was reccommended to say:

If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (ali Imran: 31)


(to be continued, insyaAllah…)