I'm Back! (^_~)

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Alhamdulillah, I'm back after a long (or.. really long) period of hiatus.  Back with a renewed spirit.  Where have I been these past months?  No, I was not too busy, nor was I at a place void of any internet connection.  I went on a month-long practical training after the final exams, then enjoyed the rest of my holiday with my family.

The truth is... I haven't been updating because I've been.. well, soul searching, I guess.  A principle I hold when writing on this blog is, that I write, when I have a purpose, and something valuable to share.  Which is why when my heart is not set right, when the level of my imaan is low, I decide to remain silent.  It is not that I don't want to write, but rather, I was unable to write then.  Perhaps it is because of the principle, or just because, I can't give what I don't have.

Well, alhamdulillah, here I am again. Sometimes, it is good to step back for a while, and analyze yourself, what you had done, and your motives.  At times you also need a friend to remind you, which alhamdulillah, a close friend of mine had.  

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

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


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


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 

Yeah, trying to climb back up, once you're down.. it ain't easy.  Never will be, either.  Yet Allah is always there.  He knows the efforts you put in.  He knows that you've tried your best.  It does not matter if your best, is not as good as others are, nor does it matter that your friends do not care.  But He knows... and He loves people who try to get closer to him, and try to be better servants to Allah, the Almighty.

Today, I would only like to share a really short story, for us all to reflect upon.  As I was going out of my apartment for a bit of shopping, I fumbled with the keys and turn the lock on the front door.  A thought strikes me:  



"These simple tasks that we do every day, like locking the door, turning the door knob, tying our shoe laces... these little things, actually involve so many complex mechanisms.  The feedback from our brain to the muscles, the amount of acetylcholine released by the muscles, the pumping systems of the neurotransmitters... and the list goes on.  Yet our body still does all this small, insignificant, but complex things with such precision!  Indeed, Allah does love us a lot, to allow us to do so much, with so little thinking to accompany the tasks.  He had made life so much simpler than what it could be, if everything was made difficult (erm.. i know, the sentence sounds weird..).  


Allah loves us a lot, you and me.  So why should we hesitate to put His love, above all else, too?  Why should we neglect to put much effort into getting acquainted with Him, and submit ourselves fully to His orders? "

So.. this is just a fragment of my thought then, decide to share because I care, and to remind myself too, lest I forget, in the near future.

O Allah, set our hearts to remain firm on Your deen, keep us close to You, until the end~

Press Release LL4G Crisis Unit

PRESS RELEASE

Monday 31st May 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Government of Malaysia is urged to condemn Israeli raid on the Lifeline4Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla

Latest Development on the Lifeline4Gaza Flotilla;

1. As have been widely publicised, the Lifeline4Gaza flotilla has come under attack by the Israeli armed forces. Israeli aggressors have boarded the capital ship Mavi Marmara and open fire resulting in 3 volunteers dead and more than 30 others seriously injured. Mavi Marmara is one of the 7 strong flotilla enroute to Gaza to deliver the much awaited material aids to the besieged people of Gaza.

2. Twelve volunteers including media representatives from Malaysia is on board the capital ship Mavi Marmara. Their participation is purely humanitarian in nature.

3. All the objectives and movement of the flotilla is in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009) and all relevant maritime regulations. Resolution 1860 stated among others:

a) Appeal for deliverance of humanitarian aid to Gaza including food, fuel and medical assistance.

b) Urge efforts to ease passage and other mechanisms for the unimpeded deliverance of aids.

c) Call for all nations to support such efforts at the international level to alleviate the dire humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza

d) condemns acts of agression and attacks on civilians and all forms of acts of terrorism.

Every Malaysian participants in the flotilla are holding fast to the international regulations and laws and vow to uphold the goodname of Malaysia and our national aspirations.

4. The flotilla is laden with 10,000 tonnes of material aid. Over 540 volunteers are on board Mavi Marmara, including Parliamentarians, academics, journalists, scholars, an infant less than a year old and a senior citizen over 80 years old. No weapons were brought in this flotilla even for self defense which testifies to the wholly humanitarian nature of the mission.

5. Based on these facts it is very clear indeed that Israel has violated international laws. Whatmore the raid took place in international waters and on an unarmed aid ship on a humanitarian mission. Israeli rash action deserve a worldwide condemnation in the strongest possible term.

6. We appeal to the Government of Malaysia under the premiership of YAB Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak and Datin Seri Paduka Rosmah Mansor in her capacity as patron for the Palestinian Aid Donations Drive to issue a statement condemning Israel for the murderous aggression on a peaceful flotilla whose objective is to deliver aid to the beseiged people of Gaza.

7. We call for the UN to convene an emergency assembly to pass a strong resolution against Israel and to summon Israeli leaders to the international court of justice for crime against humanity.

8. We call upon the Malaysians from all walks of life to express their utmost concern of the grave situation and to be ready to respond to any need for action and calls for our support in dealing with the incident.

9. We appeal to all political leaders, NGOs and the Malaysia people to join together in coming to the aid of the volunteers.

10. We also call upon every strata of the society to continue to supplicate and pray for the success of this mission and the safety of the volunteers from further untoward incidence.

Zulkifli Mohd Nani

Chairman

Crises Management Team for LL4G Malaysia

source: 

http://www.lifeline4gaza.org/2010/05/31/press-release-cmt-ll4g-1-en/

For those who care about peace, for those who still have hearts to be angry towards the Israel, and for humanity, if YOU care, please PRAY for those on board the ship!!  Pray for the end of this massacre. 

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.

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/

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

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...

this entry

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..

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...