Recap 2009: Contemplations

I was reading loveletters from Him this morning, and came across this verse… something to remind ourselves of this world and the lies behind it…

 

And when We said unto the angels: Fall down prostrate before Adam and they fell prostrate all save Iblis, he said: Shall I fall prostrate before that which Thou hast created of clay?

He said: Did You see this (creature) whom You have honoured above me, if You give me grace until the Day of Resurrection I verily will seize his descendants, save but a few.

He said: Go, and whosoever of them follow you - lo! Hell will be your payment, ample payment.

And excite any of them whom you can with thy voice, and urge your horse and foot against them, and be a partner in their wealth and children, and promise them. Satan promises them only to deceive.

Lo! My (faithful) servants - over them you hast no power, and your Lord is sufficent as (their) guardian.

(al-Isra': 60-65)

 

Shaitan (a.k.a Satan). Who never fails to try and trap mankind into accompanying him in Naar Jahannam, no matter what. His lies and allurings are sometimes too great to ignore, and we succumb under his spell.

 

Looking back into the year, I realized that there are so many instances when I stumble down and manage to become his prey. The times when I was angry, other times when I was feeling too bored, and end up escaping the boredom by watching movies and spending hours on Japanese drama series. The occasions when I slipped and shared gossips of others among my friends.

 

These are just some of many mistakes I have made, succumbed to traps Shaitan laid on me. It will be a huge lie if I claim that I was ignorant of how I wasted my time on those movies and series. Nor will it do me any good, in the Day of Judgement, to see that I had wasted so much time when there is so much more I can do and so much that I should do.

 

Indeed, there is so much more one can do to be a better servant to Him. To be aware of Shaitan's trap and plan how to side step these traps and set personal goals in order to get closer to Allah are just some of many ways one can think of. We must make an attempt – no, we must spend every ounce of energy we have, trying to become a faithful servant. For indeed, our life will worth nothing in the end, if we fail.

 

The past had past. We cannot change them. Yet for the present, and the future, let us live with the awareness that this world is just a temporary dwelling place, and the day of Judgement will arrive. The day when our deeds will be examined one by one. The day when there will be so many regrets, and only His faithful servants rejoice in Allah's Mercy. Let us remember, that there will always be an enemy around us, always ready to pounce on us the moment we let our guard down and forget this. For his main aim is to drag us with him, on that Day, to burn in the hellfire.

 

So… let's strive on, and try to be a faithful servant, finding Allah's love and blessings. May Allah guide us all. (^_^)

 

>> Sorry for the not-so-good ending. It's written in a rush as I realized that I have less than an hour before my lab. Will review it again this evening, insyaAllah…

<< Story >> Trying To Be Me: Part 1

I'm sorry that I had been absent from blogsphere for so long… I'm giving a shot at story writing. A first attempt, after a really long break from story writing (I used to enjoy writing stories during secondary school – English essays and all). I cannot promise that it'll be good, but I'll give it my best shot. Here's the 1^st part. Feel free to comment on any improvements I should make...

The prayer room was noisy and crowded, as always. Sitting in small groups, the girls were all chatting and laughing with friends while waiting for the call of prayer in order to perform Zuhur together. Putting my shoes away, I searched for my own group of friends, my classmates for the past three years in university. "Oh, there they are…" with a smile on my face, I went up to them.

Before I could greet anyone, Ina, the assistant class rep turned to me, "Sha, are you coming tonight?"

Looking at the puzzled expression I wore after her incomplete question, Ina's close friend, Di adds, "We're going to throw a surprise birthday party for Lina tonight. At our place. Would you like to join in?"

"That would be nice. Sure. I wouldn't want to miss it." I said enthusiastically.

"Great. You don't mind sleeping there tonight right, because we're planning on holding the party at midnight. I've got a meeting to attend to at around nine. Hence a midnight party will be nice, for then everyone can come." Di carried on.

My enthusiasm was slightly ebbed by this new information. It is not that I don't enjoy my friends' company, but I was planning to revise on the lectures that we had for the day. I began having second thoughts of going to the party, my inner self debating on whether or not I should go.

I do love socializing with my friends, and the party will be a great place for catching up with them on what they have done during the holidays. That, and also the fact that I was unable to join in the recent community service activity that most of my coursemates had gone to, just weeks earlier. On the other hand, I was planning to study the many topics that had been covered by the lecturers earlier. I realized that I cannot study if people around me are playing around.

With these contemplations in my head, I went to perform Zuhur, asking Allah to help me make the right decision, one that I would not regret later. In the end, before the final lecture for the day, I turned to Ina, and said, "Ina, I'm not too sure whether I'm able to go or not. I'll reconfirm later." Nodding her head, Ina was about to say something else when the lecturer came in.

Ina quickly scribbled me a note: "Decide quickly. We're ordering the food after this."

I sighed inwardly. Deciding to let the mater rest for a while, I focused on to the Lecturer in front. Today we're learning matters regarding Public Health. The definitions, needs and who is involved.

Thoroughly absorbed and enjoying the lecture, before I knew it, the class had ended. I gathered my things, still unable to decide.

"… So… can you guys buy them? Buy 84 sticks. That should be enough for all of us, I guess." I overheard Siti talking to Hakim as I walked by, heading towards home.

"Can everyone have the chicken satay? I love chicken satay. Plus it is easier if we order just one type of satay…" Hakim said as I went to greet Siti. 'Oh no… don't tell me that the guys are coming too…' I groaned to myself.

To be continued…

.:: Start Writing Again ::.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful...

As some of you may notice, I have kept this 'Writing Den' of mine quite silent these couple of weeks (or maybe months) save for a few articles copied from other sources. Insya-Allah, I'll be writing up my posts again, starting tomorrow.

A huge apology to my friends and followers whom, I feel, I have somewhat let down due to the lack of articles. Please pray that I may maintain consistency in writing in here, and that what I do in here is always for Allah alone, for none have the right to be partnered with Him.

May Allah grant his blessings upon us all..

A Powerful Story: Reflect and Ponder!

Very powerful story: it's worth to spend 5 minutes.


There were only 15 minutes left before Solat-ul Isha {The night prayer}.

He quickly made Wudhu {purification washing of the face, hands, head, ears, and feet} and then, performed Solat-ul Maghrib {The dusk prayer}.

While making Tasbih {praising of ALLAH}, he again remembered his grandmother and was
embarrassed by how he had prayed.

His grandmother prayed with such tranquillity and peace.

He began making Dua{suplications} and went down to make Sajdah{prostration} and stayed like that
for a while.

He had been at work all day and was tired, so tired.

He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting.

He was sweating profusely.

He looked around.

It was very crowded.

Every direction he looked in was filled with people.

Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left and right and
some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting.

Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was.

His heart was about to burst.

It was the Day of Judgment.

When he was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the

Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago..

Could this be something his mind made up?

No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not have imagined this.

The interrogation was still going on.

He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his name
had been called.

No one could answer him.

All of a sudden his name was called and the crowd split into two and
made a passageway for him.

Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward.

He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd.

The angels brought him to the centre and left him there.

His head was bent down and his whole life was passing in front of his
eyes like a movie.

He opened his eyes but saw only another world.

The people were all helping others.

He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his
wealth in the way of Islam.

His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set
while the other was being cleared.

He pleaded his case,

'I too was always on this path..

I helped others.

I spread the words of Allah.

I performed my Solah{prayers} .

I fasted in the month of Ramadhan.

Whatever ALLAH ordered us to do, I did.

Whatever HE ordered us not to do, I did not.'

He began to cry and think about how much he loved ALLAH.

He knew that whatever he had done in life would be less than what
ALLAH deserved and his only protector was ALLAH... He was sweating like
never before and was shaking all over.

His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision.

At last, the decision was made.

The two angels with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd.



His legs felt like they were going to collapse.

He closed his eyes as they began

To read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam{the worst Hell Fire}.

His name was read first.

He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be,

'How could I go to Jahannam{the worst Hell Fire}?

I served others all my life,

I spread the words of ALLAH to others'.

His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat.

The two angels took him by the arms.

As his feet dragged, they went through the crowd and advanced toward
the blazing flames of Jahannam{the worst Hell Fire}.

He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to help him.

He was yelling of all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped
his father, his fasts, prayers, the Noble Qur'an that he read, he was
asking if none of them would help him.

The Jahannam angels continued to drag him.

They had gotten closer to the Hellfire.

He looked back and these were his last pleas.

Had not Rasulullah [S.A.W.] {Messanger of ALLAH Muhammad Peace be upon him} said;

'How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day,
so too does the Solah performed five times cleanse someone of their
sins'?

He began yelling,

'My prayers? My prayers? My prayers.?'

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam{The Worst Hell Fire}.

The flames of the Fire were burning his face.

He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope and he had
nothing left in him.

One of the angels pushed him in.

He found himself in the air and falling towards the Flames.

He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm
and pulled him back.

He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard.

He wiped some dust off himself and asked him,

'Who are you?'

The old man replied,

'I am your prayers'.

'Why are you so late! I was almost in the Fire!

You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in'.

The old man smiled and shook his head,

'You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?'

At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah{prostation} .

He was in a sweat.

He listened to the voices coming from outside.

He heard the Adhan{call for prayer} for Solat-ul Isha{the night prayer}.

He got up quickly and went to perform Wudhu{purification washing of the face, hands, head, ears, and feet}.



Pass this on to your friends and family.... ...

Maybe, you can help someone open their eyes.

And who knows?

Maybe, this is a good deed that can help you during the day of judgement.

(INSHA-ALLAH)

>> recieved this from an email.. i decide to share it here for us all to ponder

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..

Source: http://safiarrahman.blogspot.com/

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.

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!

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..