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…)



Remember your Priority & Responsibility!


Really… I want to go to Padang and help out. Seriously… want to go so badly. Want to help the victims of the earthquake. But I've to study for the upcoming finals. And I have a practical exam this Wednesday. So my parents won't allow ne to go. And my rational mind say I can't go either. For I've still a lot, mind you, a LOT to study. Hence I can't go. (really sad bout it).


Dear self, be patient. Do what you have to do first, for this is your main responsibility now, as a student. This is your priority alrite… study is a jihad as well. Strive to gain knowledge and use it for the benefit of the ummah.


Don't feel down alrite… try your best to score well. if you want to continue your studies to the next level, you'll need to score now. Do your best!


Mode: trying to push myself to study more although I don't feel like it… ya Allah, give me strength… Grant your blessings on the effort I made. Dear self, purify your intentions and go on, and may success be yours, now and in the next life


>> all the best to everyone who is going to face exams soon. May Allah help all of us to get the best for ourself and for Islam.

Even though we are not able to go there now, try help out by donating money. May Allah count our deeds as good deeds, and may they leed us to jannah, insyaAllah...

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Our Land, Our Masjid


Assalamualaikum everyone...

While most of us are busy with studying for the finals, and the Malaysian media is buzzing on politics, the Bagan Pinang election, the world-wide crisis of floods and earthquakes, there is another news, one which I think is far more important than any in the media. A news which, amidst our busy-ness as students studying for our finals, we must be aware of, and take action.

What news? The third most important masjid in Islam, Masjidil Aqsa is in grave danger. Yes, as Muslims, this is a news which we need to take action, get information, spread the news and pray. Pray to Allah that the Palestinians and every Muslim there will remain strong, and pray that Allah will give them strength to protect al-Quds. Do whatever we can to help them, in whatever ways we can.



Here are some latest update by al-Jazeera:


Palestinians Barred from The Old City

Israeli police have barred Palestinians protesting in defence of the al-Aqsa mosque compound from gaining access to Jerusalem's Old City.

Friday's increased restrictions on the mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem followed a series of clashes that started late last month.

Men under the age of 50 were prevented from accessing the mosque for the past six days.

Towards the end of Friday, Israel lifted its curfew, but for most of the day several hundred Palestinians were denied entry to the mosque.

Many performed Friday prayers just outside the gates of the Old City, while the heavily armed Israeli police deployed extra troops.

continue reading at: al-Jazeera

Remain alert for more news from numerous trusted source. Do help out in any way we can.

May Allah help them out. Ameen...