Friday, May 22, 2009

Sorry to All...

Assalamualaikum everyone..

just a short post this time... to say that I'll be on hiatus for around 9 or 10 days.. so there will be no posts in here during the time. I'll be going to indonesia tomorrow, insyaAllah...

Please pray for my safety, and I hope I'll gain valuable things there.. doakan ek..

Wassalam...
May Allah bless all of us..

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The Paradox of Our Time

The paradox of our time in history is that...

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers.
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less.
We buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families.
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment.
More experts, but more problems.
More medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly,
stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little,
watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less;
We plan more, but accomplish less;
We've learned to rush, but not to wait;
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We have more food, but less appeasement;

We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.

We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure,but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this poem to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference, or to just to ignore...

Dr. Bob Moorehead


>> This is another favourite of mine.. my mum read this to me at 2003 from her email.. i decide to share it here.. really worth to ponder...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Is it Really JUST a Phrase? (Part 2)



<< a continuation from the previous entry >>


  1. Syahadatain is an oath/ pledge


    Syahadatain is a lifetime pledge of commitment. A pledge to accept any RISKS and CONSEQUENCES that is involved with uttering the syahadatain. It is to serve and stand by, no matter what, to what Allah and His prophet (PBUH) have commanded, to protect, and to uphold the word of Allah.


    The first few Muslims of Makkah had realized the consequences that they must face when they say the syahadatain. They knew that their faiths will be challenged, and they will be tested with so many trials. Yet, they stood firm on their faiths, determining to uphold their pledge to Allah and His prophet. The best example form this firm determination and braveness in facing the risk of syahadatain is Sumaiyyah, the first women to die while remaining firm to her belief. She had been tortured and punished by Abu Jahal, all the while forcing her and her family to return to their old faith of worshipping idols. But she stood her ground, and was finally killed.


    Perhaps, some of you do not any risks or consequences of us saying the syahadatain. We are surrounded by Muslims. Even our Prime Minister is a Muslim. Our parents, siblings, etc are all believers, alhamdulillah. Then again… take a look around us. Look at the Palestinians. They are Muslims too. What about the Filipino Muslims and South Thai Muslims? These are the risks they face in saying the syahadatain, and trying to uphold the syahadatain. Do we sit back and just be the onlookers of their plight? This, I leave all of u to ponder…


    On another note, actually there are still consequences which we have to face by saying the syahadatain. This is because, despite the masses who claim to be Muslim, Islam is neither a trend, nor the current system in favor nowadays. For the system of jahiliyyah had returned. Hence, in upholding Allah's commands as our way of life, the risks we have to take is in being different from everyone else, the risk of doing things outside the norms, and the risks of having to stand up and refusing to do things which is forbidden by Allah. As an example, for a teenager living in the midst of the urban city of Kuala Lumpur, if she really understands the syahadatain and wants to make Allah as her Ilah, she had to face her people's stares if she dresses according to the Islamic dress code, to be able to refuse the temptations of joining in the nightlife in KL, and withstand the jeers from those around her, and to be able to be firm when some guy ask her out on a date, despite the guy being a very charming and handsome lad. These are risks indeed, especially to a teenager.


    These are all consequences of trying to live by the syahadatain in our day-to-day dealings. It is never easy, yet the fruits for those who succeed will be sweet. This is a promise from Allah. The fruits of Imaan, and the gift from Allah, happiness of the heart and paradise in the next life… Aren't these great things worth fighting for?


Let us not make syahadatain to be left as only JUST a phrase to be said five times a day (or maybe more!) in our prayers. Let us not just say is as if it is nothing more than empty chatter. Let us take this phrase seriously, as the first generation had. For then, and only then, will the ummah rise again, as strong as it once was. A strength injected by the will to live and upheld the phrase: THERE IS NO ILAH BUT ALLAH, AND MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH.


Let our hearts be aware.. let our imaan be awake, each time we say the syahadatain. Remember the phrase, its implications and consequences. Remember, and live by them. May Allah bless us all, and may our hearts remain firm in this path, despite the many trials and tribulations, insyaAllah...


>> forgive me for the mistakes I made in any way… I hope this article is useful. Actually, this is written for myself especially, and as a reminder to all of the readers reading this… I'm not perfect myself, but trying to be. Trying to live by the syahadatain. May success be ours here and in the next life, insyaAllah…


Refrence: Materi Tarbiyah utk Remaja by Izzatul Jannah


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Is it Really JUST a Phrase? (Part 1)

So… can all of you guess what the phrase is? Actually, Syaimaa' already got it right the first time, well… at least, partially right (in the first comment), so congrats to her. Yes, the phrase is the syahadatain. The phrase we have been repeating everytime we pray. Also a phrase which first differentiate between a Muslim and a non Muslim.

Hence the question. Have it really become JUST a phase nowadays? Well… in a sense, perhaps it has. For currently, many had failed to even realize what is the meanings and implications of the phrase Asyhadu an la Ilaha illaLlah wa asyhadu anna Muhammad Rasulullah

What does the syahadatain really implies? Basically, syahadatain implies three things:

  1. Syahadatain is a statement


     

    Yes, a statement. Just like the statements we make in our day-to-day dealings, such as to our parents.


     

    "I love you, mum…" a girl declared. Yet, had she not done anything to help our mothers, nor make her happy, doesn't the statement seem doubtful? As the act does not really tally with what the statement is.

    Thus, the statement MUST be followed by proofs.


     

    Similarly, the statement of syahadatain must be proven. It is a statement we have to prove throughout our lifetime, at every second of the day. To make Allah as our only Ilah, and Muhammad PBUH as His messenger. The Quraisy of Makkah had realized this huge impact that the short statement will make upon their lives, which is the reason why some, such as Abu Jahal, did not want to even state the phrase. Because he realized the implication, that with the statement, his whole lifestyle must be changed. Changed to suite a way which Allah likes, and not the way he himself wants it to be.


     

  2. Syahadatain is a promise


     

    Syahadatain is our promise to Allah. Our promise to take Allah as our only Ilah. So… what does taking Allah as our only Ilah implies? Basically, having Allah as our only Ilah means that we put Him above everything else, in terms of who we love, miss, rely on, and seek help from.


     

    A big promise? Yes indeed. A huge one. A promise that will revolve around everything we do.


     

    To love Allah the most, we have to try to put His love on top of the list of things we love. We have to love Him more than our parents, our laptop, our passion for music, sports, etc. Feel that it's hard? To love something that one cannot see, hear, nor sense. Yet again, if we think of all the things that Allah had given us all, everything He had done for us, all the love He had showered us, it is literally impossible not to love HIM. We only need to think more. Of His gifts, of His love, of the way He created us… I'm reminded of just a simple example, imagine, what will happen if Allah decided that He will not allow water to be evaporated by the sun? then, our skin will be wet with sweats, our clothes won't dry… How Allah the almighty actually, I can go on and on about this.. but I'm sure we can all think of our own examples.


     

    To rely on Allah alone is to put our hope and trust on Him. For example, for our studies, some people rely on their hard work and intellect to score. While others rely on their ties with the lecturers. Yet, for a Muslim who really understands that Allah is his Ilah, his reliance is to Allah alone. This does not mean that he does not have to study hard in order to achieve. Nor does this mean that he does not have to have good ties with the lecturer. He does it all, because Allah ask him to. Yet, at the end, he trust Allah to give him the best for himself.


     

    During the period of Jahiliyah, the people of Makkah seek help from numerous man-made gods. Saidina Umar al-Khattab, after embracing Islam, used to laugh at his own foolishness for seeking the help of an idol he made of dried dates, for when he was hungry, he ended up eating those dates himself. For at the time, he seeks help from something helpless to save itself from being eaten. Evidently, any Ilah other than Allah cannot really assist us in finding true happiness. One who puts money as his Ilah may find that money is a help at some areas, lending wealth and a short joyful time, yet at the end, the life will feel empty. Even a whole bank full of money may not buy health that Allah had so generously supplied us with.

    Hence syahadatain is a promise to make Allah as our Ilah, the One we love most, rely on, and seek help from… have we managed to fulfill the promise?


     

  3. Syahadatain is an oath


     


<<< To be continued… >>>

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Object of Despair

>> I was going to post an article about 'The Phrase', yet I have been a bit busy these two days, to a point that I wasn't able to go in front of the laptop for more than half an hour. So sorry everyone..
Today I'll be going for a trip to visit my brother at his school in Perlis. I'll post up that post as soon as I can, insyaAllah... meanwhile, here's a poem i like...



Object of dispair
by Fahim Firfiray (Abu Omar)

Emma is a lawyer
And so is Aisha too
Colleagues going into court
At circa half past two

Its 1 O'clock right now
They grab a bite before the trial
They chat about this and that
Conversing with a smile

Aisha is in full hijab
With a loose all over suit *
Emma's in her business wear
With accessories taboot

Emma's really quite bemused
At Aisha's godly ways
She looks Aisha in the eyes
And very firmly says

You're a smart girl Aisha
Why do you wear that across your hair?
Subjugated by "man"-kind
An object of despair

Take it off my sister
Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD


Aisha is amazed
But not the least bit shy
She bravely puts her milk shake down
And gives Emma the reply

My dear sister Emma,
Why do you dress the way you do?
The skirt you're wearing round your waist,
Is it really you?

Now that we've sat down,
I see you tug it across your thighs,
Do you feel ashamed?
Aware of prying eyes?

I see the way you're sitting,
Both legs joined at the knees,
Who forces you to sit like that?
Do you feel at ease?


I'll tell you who obliges you,
To dress the way you do,
Gucci, Klein and St. Laurent,
All have designs on you!

In the main, it's men my friend,
Who dictate the whims of fashion,
Generating all the garb,
To incite the basest passion

"Sex Sells" there is no doubt,
But who buys with such great haste,
The answer is the likes of you,
Because they want to be embraced......

They want to be accepted,
On a level playing field
Sure, with brain and intellect
But with body parts revealed

Intelligence and reason
Are useful by and by
But if you want to make a mark
Stay appealing to the eye

You claim your skirt is office like
A business dress of sorts
Would we not laugh at Tony Blair
If he turned up in shorts?

His could be the poshest pants
Pinstripe from Saville Rowe
But walking round like that my friend
He'd really have to go

Why do you douse yourself with creams
To make your skin so milky?
Why do rip off all your hair
To keep your body silky?

A simple shower's all you need
To stay respectable and clean
The time and money that you spend
Is really quite obscene

Why do you wake up at dawn,
To apply a firm foundation,
Topped with make up and the like,
In one chaotic combination?

And if you should have to leave the house
Devoid of this routine
Why do you feel so insecure
That you should not be seen?

Be free my sister Emma
Escape from your deep mire
Don hijab today my friend
And all Islam's attire

Avoid all those sickly stares
Or whistles from afar
Walk down the street with dignity
Take pride in who you are

Strength lies in anonymity
Be a shadow in the crowd
Until you speak and interact
When your voice will carry loud

You're a smart girl Emma
Wear this across your hair
Don't be subjugated by "man"-kind
An object of despair

To use your very words my friend
Let your banner be unfurled
Don't blindly follow all around
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD


This is a poem I had heard when I was in form three (2003), when my mum shared it with me and my siblings from an e-mail she got.. and I had really loved it.. when I found this poem in the net, i decided to copy it here. Hope you'll enjoy it too... (^_^)

Monday, May 4, 2009

.:: Just a Phrase ::.


It is just a phrase

Quite a short one indeed

Yet, many were killed because of it

Many others were scared of it

Some refused to utter it

While others, become changed men after saying it.



How did they change?

They became braver

They are suddenly closer to one another

They don’t mind being hated

Nor do they mind being hit, abandoned, or threatened

Their hearts were always calm

No matter what storms they must endure

As a price for believing, and declaring the phrase



At the end...

Because of the phrase

More than a quarter of the world

Is in their hands

Yes, a brand new civilization was built

Built on the pillars of

The simple phrase



A civilization filled with harmony

Enveloping peace and calmness to its residents

Promoting the spread of knowledge

Be it science, history, and geography

Encouraging the growth of the economy

Overflowing with trust, kindness and honesty.



Hundreds of years had past

The civilization had lost its glorious days

Although the phrase is still around

Declared by many men throughout the globe

Yet... now it had really become

JUST a phrase...



What IS the phrase??



>> take a guess... I’ll post it up in my next entry, insyaAllah...

Tagged...

Got a tag from http://fintkewl.blogspot.com/

So.. here it is.. (btw.. i’m not tagging anyone else kot..huh)

1. Fill in the info required below
2. Copy it onto your blog, inform your tagger so you can get the result-analysis
3. Copy the result of the tag onto your blog (preferably under your answers!)
4. You may tag other people, but make sure they don't read the result-analysis first!

-The Tag-

Let's imagine that you like to read books and watch documentaries about aliens..
So you somewhat have 'background schemata' about aliens..
and one day - you just got lucky (or unlucky)
you've been selected by alien forces to take a one-way trip to their dimension.
yes, one-way trip.
and you can't refuse their invitation because you've been 'selected'.
(that means even if you don't want to go, they'll still 'take' (read: illegally abduct) you.

as a dramatic add-on to your departure, the aliens assigned you to compose a semi-autobiographical goodbye note for all of those whom you are leaving behind, according to the questions below:

1.a list of things you like/liked best:

person: my parents (of course!)
colour: peach, red, black
number: um... any number will do
clothing: my wardrobe.. (is that allowed?)
food: mum’s spaghetti
pastime/activity/hobby: reading and writing, surfing the net
music: ‘The Prophet’s Hands’ (Dawud’s), ‘Atas Nama Cinta’ (UNIC), ‘Setanggi Syurga’ (inTEAM) and ‘Saujana’ (saujana)
book: In The Early Hours by Khurram Murad, Guide to Personal Tarbiyah, VT by Hilal Asyraf, Rooftop Rant by Hlovate, RADHA by Rynsa... (the list can go on forever!)
hangout place: anywhere that’s not noisy and crowded
friend: aniem, maryam, izyan, fatin, saeideh...
movie: The Message, Muhannad at-Tohir, Sang Murabbi, Spy Kids, Baby Genius, What a Girl Wants

2. things you wished you did more of:
More amal soleh and get myself closer to HIM


3. your final message to _________ (fill in as many messages to as many people you like, i.e: to my little sis, I'm sorry we quarrelled a lot...)
just... sorry everyone.. n take care of ur iman, amal and health! And may the aliens send me back.. (is that possible?)



>> a very illogical piece of tag, but i finished it, so.. hope u’re happy flint! And sorry if it is a bit late..