Friday, April 16, 2010

Chasing The Dream


All of us have dreams.  Dreams for the future, dreams of happiness and success.


Some are able to chase these dreams and are able to make them reality.  while others dream on, yet never worked towards obtaining them.  Just like the popular Malaysian folk-tale of Mat Jenin.  Some others chase their dreams, but are not quite there yet.  Or, just was not able to make the dream come true.


I would like to bring the readers into the life of a figure skater (ice skating).  A figure skater, whose dream is to be the best in his field, needs to put in a lot of hard work to make that dream come true.  He usually trains on ice every day, or six days a week, spending up to 6 hours (or more!) perfecting his skills.  Even after training on ice, in order to stay agile and have good balance, he needs to go to dance or ballet classes.  Sounds like hard work? Yes, indeed.  He needs to sacrifice time, money and his youth, to focus on this aim.  Only those who really wish to succeed, and strive hard enough, will.  By the way, all the hard work he puts in, will be judged only on the rink, for less than 3 minutes (short program) and 4 minutes and a half (long program).  That's it.  But it takes brain, brawn and real work to be the best, putting everything into those few minutes.


Yet the outcome, of course, if he is good enough, and lucky enough, the gold medal might just be his.  The video up there, is one of the figure skaters who compete during the recent Winter Olympics.  He obtained the bronze medal, although I personally enjoy his skating more.  Both on skills and artistic wise.  Hence I decided to put his video up (^_^).





Anyway... that is just one of the many stories of chasing dreams.  I am sure you can think of so much more. Decide to share regarding ice skating because I enjoy skating a lot. But let us reflect back on The Dream.


There is one dream that so many of us want to achieve.  Even the worst of man (if he is a believer, that is), deep down, still wish for.  That is, The Dream for everlasting happiness in the next life, in paradise (Jannah).   Yet how many really work hard towards the dream?  Or should I say.. towards the ultimate dream?  Not just letting it become a far-away dream, but a goal, and aim to strive for.


And surely Paradise - it is the goal! (al-Naziat:41)


Jannah, which, Allah the Most High had told us, the best place to be, the place where each person can have land and goods as much as this world and more.  Allah said in the Quran:


But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness that their portion is Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom they say: "Why this is what we were fed with before" for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions (pure and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).  (al-Baqarah: 25)


and also...


Say: shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord with rivers flowing beneath; Therein is their eternal home; with spouses purified and the good pleasure of Allah, for in Allah's sight are (all) His servants. (ali Imran:15)


There are so many other verses of the Quran like the once above.  Many more beautiful ones too.  Is Jannah not the most wonderful place to be?


Yet... how many of us had done what the figure skater did to win his medal?  How many of us strives our very best, day and night, to obtain Allah's pleasure and His reward, Jannah?  Isn't Jannah a much greater reward, more worth working hard for, than the most wanted gold medal on earth?  Or for the matter, is it not more prestigious than the Nobel Prize people are so in awe of?  Is it not worth sacrificing for?


Yes, Jannah is indeed very special.  Hence, in order to dream of passing through the gates of Jannah, we must be well equipped.  If a traveler travels to an alien country, he would first prepare passports, obtain a map of the place, surf around for a good place to stay, discuss with his friends and family... and so on.  Well, if we want to set foot on the Paradise, we are also embarking on a long journey towards gaining Allah's pleasures.  This journey, of course, needs plenty of provisions.  Without having any provisions, how are we able to weave our way towards this dream and goal of ours?






Unfortunately, so many people dream of the paradise, saying that they want to enter the paradise, without willing to sacrifice.  Without wanting to collect the provisions.  Or even more doomed, those who dream, but not even begin the journey in the first place.


Vie with one another in seeking to attain to your Sustainer's forgiveness; and to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, which has been readied for those who have attained to faith in God and His messengers: such is the bounty of Allah which He grants unto whomever He wills -for Allah is limitless in His great bounty. (al-Hadid: 21)


Those who did not put in any effort in finding Allah's pleasure and working hard to obtain Jannah, will simply drop out of the journey.  For along the journey, Allah had set so many trials and tribulations.  Allah will demand us to sacrifice and work, in order to attain this ultimate dream.

Indeed Allah has purchased from the Believers their lives and their possessions, promising them Paradise, in return (at-Taubah: 111)

If you notice, I had  interweaved the dream of Jannah and attaining Allah's pleasure several times throughout this article.  It is because the two is so closely related.  Paradise can only be attained when we seek Allah's pleasure, and when Allah's pleasure is gained, we will indeed be granted Jannah, or paradise.

Is this your ultimate dream as well?  Have you done enough in order to attain Allah's pleasure and his reward, the Paradise?    What are the provisions you bring along?  


I'll end this post here, for us to ponder... to dream, and work to make the dream become a reality.





That's it for this post, i guess.  Actually, this discussion can be continued so much more, but I think the post is long enough as it is.  InsyaAllah, I will post more points next time, insyaAllah.. Reference for this post is from: In The Early Hours by Ust Khurram Murad.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Let's Break The Siege!!

Palestine will be free, insyaAllah...
Despite the hardships that had been piling on their people for the past decades.
Because they keep fighting and have faith in Allah.
Also because there are people all over the world who care.
Helping them, in whatever ways they can.

Are you game to be part of the helpers? Or do you just want to sit back and relax?
If so, you may have a good time in this world, but in the future, in the hereafter, if Allah asks you, 
"What have you done for your brothers and sisters in Palestine who are in distress?"
How are you going to answer?

Be part of those do do their bit (even if not much, at least, do what we can do)
Contribute, boycott, and raise awareness..

Currently, a fund is being raised to help the Palestinians in distress.  Here is one of the articles regarding it:  







Turkish Relief Foundation (IHH) and Free Gaza Movement plan to break years of Israel siege on Gaza land through sea this time.
The campaign that is expected to start on April 20, is named “last port is freedom”.
IHH said in a statement sent to World Bulletin, “the Flotilla is planned to contain 20 boats, which some of them will be cargo boats.”
Along with Free Gaza Movement in UK and IHH in Turkey, organizations from USA, Malaysia, Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Venezuella are expected to join the flotilla by sending boats, the statement said.
Boats will be laden with building supplies, generators and educational materials that Israel halts from entering Gaza since their brutal attack on the civilian population a year ago.
The many passenger boats will carry members of Parliament from countries around the world as well as high-profile journalists and human rights activists.
The ship that will set off from Istanbul aims to reach Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea. There are no international legal obstacles to prevent ships to go to Gaza through the sea.
“Aid campaign”

The relief foundation Chairman Bulent Yildirim said the aid campaign aims to sail with 20 ships and as IHH, plans to buy 5 ships.

Yildirim said they continue to research for the purchase. ” We continue talks for the purchase of 3 ships, looking for ships in Greece and other countries.”
IHH launched an aid campaign for the purchase of ships.

“But we have no power to do this alone. We launch an aid campaign to get these ships. We want everyone to contribute a small share, expect donations from our charitable people,” he said.
Pointing out to the embargo in Gaza since 2006, Yildirim said, “We, as non-governmental organizations take the civilian initiative. We demand to end this embargo. Launched in December 2009, our convoy did break the siege, the issue was brought to the world agenda once more. We will break the embargo from the sea this time. Hopefully after this move, states willl act as well.”
Source: http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/2010/03/06/wise-11/



Do your bit.
to find out more, visit:
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/
http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/what-you-can-do/donation/
http://haluanpalestin.haluan.org.my/

Free Gaza international: http://www.freegaza.org/

Monday, April 5, 2010

Nasyeed: Allah Knows

Browsing through my nasyeed folder.  Stumbled upon this song. Haven't heard it in a while... Decide to share it here, although perhaps many of you have heard it already.  May Allah bless

Title:  Allah Knows
By: Zain Bikha and Dawud Wharnsby Ali




When you feel all alone in this world 
And there's nobody to count your tears 
Just remember, no matter where you are 
Allah knows 
Allah knows

When you carrying a monster load 
And you wonder how far you can go 
With every step on that road that you take 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 

CHORUS 
No matter what, inside or out 
There's one thing of which there's no doubt 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 
And whatever lies in the heavens and the earth 
Every star in this whole universe 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 

When you find that special someone 
Feel your whole life has barely begun 
You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 

When you gaze with love in your eyes 
Catch a glimpse of paradise 
And you see your child take the first breath of life 
Allah knows 
Allah knows

CHORUS 

When you lose someone close to your heart 
See your whole world fall apart 
And you try to go on but it seems so hard 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 

You see we all have a path to choose 
Through the valleys and hills we go 
With the ups and the downs, never fret never frown 
Allah knows 
Allah knows 

CHORUS (x2) 


BRIDGE: 
Every grain of sand, 
In every desert land, He knows. 
Every shade of palm, 
Every closed hand, He knows. 
Every sparkling tear, 
On every eyelash, He knows. 
Every thought I have, 
And every word I share, He knows. 
Allah knows 


No matter what, Allah knows..
smile! (^_^)

may Allah bless

Sunday, April 4, 2010

When the Sea Gets too Rough...


Assalamualaikum wbt..

it's rough out here..
may our anchor of faith and strong sails keep us steady

Ever get to a point in your life
where you just need to stop?
When you feel that the going gets too rough,
and you can't even take another step forward?

I have.
Ain't nice, at all.
When you attempt to push yourself,
Trying to tell yourself that no matter what,
At least He is there.
Trying to smile
Even though all you felt like doing is cry
most of all..
Trying to teach yourself to trust
To have faith in what Allah have in store for the future

The sea gets too rough, at times.
And the anchor you usually have falters
The brave font you put on
Can't withstand the wind forever.



Yet I've learnt one valuable thing through it all
That you have to keep on trying to revive the fighting spirit.
Try all your might,
And you'll find that He will guide you
Pray, read the Quran, do any other thing you think might help
I found strength in this..
and also suddenly, from a blog...
Alhamdulillah.. thank you Allah!

Miss them so much.. Hope walid will get better, and ummi remains strong.
So sorry that I am unable to go home and help out, though I want very much to do so.


The piles of assignments and stuff to study..

Note to self: no matter what, never lost hope in Allah. He will guide you through, insyaAllah...


May happiness be there, at the end of the tunnel
if not here, in the hereafter, insyaAllah..
Forgive me, if the post is a bit incoherent. Not in the best state to write anything now. Should have been doing my loads of clinical reports, but can't manage to concentrate..

May happiness be ours at the end.. Trying to stay positive. There will be rainbows at the end of rough storms rite? insyaALlah... Oh Allah... guide me to always remain in your blessings and redha..

Thursday, April 1, 2010

What a Way to Spread Islam!

Assalamualaikum everyone..

Forgive me for being quiet for a while.  Loads of assignments to submit by the end of this week and the next.  After that, the finals.  Whew... time sure flies by fast.

Found this link by chance.  

What a cool way to spread the deen.  By aerosols and sprays. Br. Muhammad Ali spreads awareness of Islam via grafitti works.  Here is one of them, which I love..



nice way to make people aware of Palestine issue.
each time someone pass by, he/she remembers..

here's another...




there are many others in the link I just gave, all of them nice, masyaAllah..

As Muslims, we need to be creative.  Creative in fulfilling our obligations as a servant, and creative in spreading the words of Allah.  I'd say, this man had indeed found an unusual way to do it.

Let us hope that all of us will remain consistent in this path towards HIM.  
Life is short, so let us live life to the fullest, for the sake of the next life which will be permanent..

may Allah bless...