Today.
An avalanche of problems. All at once.
On top of that, I do not have time on my side. I’m getting real busy. What with increasing school load, part-time classes, training hours to clock and the upcoming YIA performance for my mentees.
I do not know whether this happen to you, but when I start to suffocate over my own problems and against the tick-tock of that clock, my mind starts to wander and think about the future. It’s like the brain suddenly switched gear into an auto-pilot mode, to plan about the future, 5 years down the road, while walking towards the canteen to buy a cup of green apple red tea with aloe vera.
Then I cringed. Worrying unnecessarily.
Followed by a frantic search for that panic button to do an emergency crash.
Sheesh. I must be mental!
Alhamdulillah, today I remembered something from La Tahzaan to keep my sanity.
The important thing to know is that tomorrow is from the world of the unseen, a bridge that we do not cross until it comes. Who knows, perhaps we might never reach the bridge, or the bridge might collapse before we reach it.
For us to be engrossed in expectations about the future is looked down upon in our religion since it leads to our having a long-term attachment to this world, an attachment that the good believer shuns.
“The Event, ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it”
Al-Nahl:1
Simply Happy.
Do you remember how we learn about the germination of a seedling back in primary school?
Rumi
I found myself browsing through Rumi’s books at Wardah Books since I was early for my class, which by the way, is located just above the bookstore.
Kids Nowadays…
This is how little Mardhiah invade my space to play online games over at Playhouse Disney web.
And mind you, she’s only three.
Say a Little Prayer.
Rabbanaa hab lanaa min azwajinaa wa dzurriyyatina qurratu ‘ayun.
Waj alna lilmuttaqiinaa imaamaa.
Serenity.
Lina told me yesterday that her family wanted to perform ‘Umrah this year.
Then, I suddenly got reminded of how much I actually miss Madinatun Nabi.
And today, I just had to go here, first thing in the morning.
Masyallah.
Hear Me Out.
The Earth has been trying for centuries to tell its story.
Why it looks, acts and sounds the way it does.
WE SHOULD START LISTENING.
A Lesson.
Today’s class could not be more apt after my discussion with a friend earlier on.
It was definitely a mind-opening session for me, and reminded me that we should always turn to Him for answers. For He is the All-Knower, All Wise. And it almost felt like He was answering the questions that we were looking for. Subhanallah. Verily, God is Great.
I was asked to give my two cents worth over the matter, but I guess I was not ready to share anything with the class for I have yet to start this journey of self- discovery.
More than anything else, I thank Him, the Almighty for having this weekly Wednesday session with such wonderful people. Ameen.
Rumbling Tummy.
I’ve been frequenting this blog like almost every other day.
Then, I cringe in hunger over all the yummy food which I would never get round to cook them.
I want my own kitchen!
Read the Expression from My Eyes.
With the H1N1 scare still lurking around, I now have to wear the mask full time while on attachment in the hospital.
Mask and hijab?!
I might as well wear the niqab.
If Only You Knew How Much I Love You.
May you find what your heart desire, and the inner peace that you have been searching for.
Eid Mubarak.
Minal a’idin wal faizin wal maqbulin. Kullu ‘am wa antum bi kheir.
Ramadhan Musings.
When that time of the month comes, and you cannot perform your fast.
Me: Mom, I’m very hungry, and there’s no food in the kitchen 
Brother: You’re going to Arab St for your class right?
There’s a Ramadhan bazaar over there. Plenty of food for you to eat.
Me: Shut up, alright. I’m not so thick to eat in broad daylight in Ramadhan although I can’t fast.
Brother: Why should you be ashamed of it? Just wear a sign around your neck that says:
‘Women are special beings. Allah loves us MORE.’
Don’t worry, I didn’t succumb to his ingenious idea. He got that from watching Upin & Ipin anyway. Tsk.
Marhaban Ya Ramadhan.
While stuffing my face with the dates stocked for the upcoming Ramadhan…
Me: Why do you always get Shafawi dates? Buy Ajwa’ the next time, please. Those are yummiliciously good.
Mom: Why don’t YOU buy them instead and do some sadaqah for the family in Ramadhan.
Me: Errrm. But it’s like $70 per kg!!!
Mom: *rolls eyes*
Haha!
Ramadhan is definitely not about dates, by the way… Hehe.
In any case, may you all have a blessed and meaningful Ramadhan this year, Insyallah.
Strive to build your ARK (Act of Random Kindness)
Aim for Laylatul Qadr
Don’t miss your taraweehs
Holidays.
It’s not that I do not like to stay at home.
But, it’s just that when Mom and I are left to entertain each other for the entire day, I hate the conversations that Mom would bring up.
What else is new if not for the fact that she’s been bugging me to get a life and go find a guy. Pfft.
Learning how to use the washing machine is a separate issue of its own.
I wonder if that is what mothers do when their daughters have turned 20, unattached and believe in the words of Naspants: Boys are as shallow as the water in my toilet bowl.
Come on, give me some peace, I have spent the last 5 weeks frying my brain cells for the exams.
A Singa At Heart: Part III
A global sports hub, a global medical hub, a global MICE hub, a global education hub and the list goes on endlessly.
A Singa At Heart: Part II
As promised, here’s another installment of my ‘A Singa At Heart’ series, in light of the upcoming National Day
We Own Our Actions.
Purification is half of Imaan (faith).
Saying ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah) fills the scales.
Saying ‘Subhanallah wa al-Hamdulillahi’ (Exhalted be Allah and Praise be to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth.
Salah (prayer) is a light.
Sadaqah (charity) is a proof.
Sabr (patience) is a shining glory.
The Qur’an is an argument either for you or against you.
Everybody goes out in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.
[Muslim]
Le Kua Simi?
It takes a true blue Singaporean to understand the essence of this song.
Been a fan of Mr Brown and his podcasts since 16
Multilingual.
While having a break from my Arabic class, I hopped around to the classroom next door to pay my class fees, and then I found myself eavesdropping on their lesson. They were the newbies taking up ‘Introduction to Arabic’ course.
Mudarris: What is the meaning of ‘Baab’ / ‘باب’?
Students (in unison): DOOR!!!
Mudarris: And what if I add the huruf ‘ya’ / ‘ي’ at the back, to get ‘Baabii’ / ‘بابي’?
Students (with great enthusiasm and unsion): PIG!!!
Haha. I burst out into laughter immediately. You, see, ‘babi’ in the Malay Language is pig. Heh.
Frolicking Under the Sun.
I was contemplating whether I should spend my Sunday away instead of studying. Alhamdulillah, a break from all the stress with my beautiful friends was worth it. Every single moment of it.
Let’s Scream & Shout!
At other times, I would probably say that this poster is kind of smart and would cheer out loud;
COME ON PEOPLE! LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE AND ENJOY THE ‘DESSERTS’ THAT LIFE HAVE TO OFFER!
Thank You.
I’m such a shy girl. I do not like it when the attention is on me. Really!
And so, to my lovely friends, thank you all!
Thank you for the wishes and duas.
Special mention to Fadh, the girl who made me cry today.
May Allah protect us all and guide us to the righteous path.
Once again, thank you 
لا تحزن
My current read, as I cry bading goodbye to my teenagehood
An impulse buy in Madinah that costs 50 Riyal, and I’m loving it.
It will definitely be out for loan once I’m done with it
What is it about?
At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery and within, comes this heartening book rooted in the commandments of Allah (swt), the Sunnah and the excellent guidance and examples of the Muslims that have come before us.
Don’t be Sad is an absolute must-read for all people. It is full of practical advice on how to repel despair and replace it with a pragmatic and ultimately satisfying Islamic outlook on life. It exposes to the modern reader how Islam teaches us to deal with the tests and tribulations of this world. So, take heart and hold firmly onto the rope of Allah.
I Loike!
Now you can “like” my post like how you do it on FB
Just click on an entry title and scroll down for the thumbs-up!
I LOVE WORDPRESS!
Listen To The Song, I Used To Sing Along.
I vowed to stop performing.
I vowed to stop making music.
I vowed to not touch a clarinet anymore.
Nobody But YOU!
This is specially dedicated to the two who have been buzzing ‘Nobody Nobody but you’ complete with the moves during lessons – Ain and Sab.
And not forgetting Fadh and Nat who had joined in the buzz as well.
It’s time to move into the swine era, girls!
And it could not be more apt with the first swine flu case in Singapore.
Presenting to you, Wonder Girls feat. MrBrown and their hit song -Wash Your Body, Wash Your Hand Too!
Let’s Do The ‘Stress-Buster’!
Eversince I was a little kid, I like to assign a song to every major events that happened to me.
Till now, every memory has a tune.
The process comes naturally, unknowingly… It just happened.
And I hate it when certain songs trigger certain memories.
On another random note, my feet is so sore right now.
Since we do not get allowances, can we at least get free reflexology vouchers?
It shall only take 2 foreigners to do a full thorax MRI to cover the cost for the 50 us, agree?
Against Adversity.
At the end of the day, all that we are left with is love to keep us going. At such times, when we can do nothing else, we can still love without expecting any reward or change or gratitude.
If we do this, the energy of love will begin to transform the universe about us. Wherever this energy appears, it always achieve its ends.
‘Time does not transform man. Will-power does not transform man. Love does.’
Speaking of which, the song Love Changes Everything by Michael Ball is ringing in my head. Heh.
Love transforms and love cures, but, sometimes, love builds deadly traps and can end up destroying a person who had resolved to give him or herself completely. What is this complex feeling which, deep down, is the only reason we continue to live, struggle and improve?
It would be irresponsible of me to attempt to define it, because I, along with every other human being, can only feel it. Thousands of books have been written on the subject, plays have been put on, films produced, poems composed, sculptures carved out of marble. And yet all artist can convey is the idea of a feeling, not the feeling itself.
But I have learnt that this feeling is present in the small things, and manifests itself in the most insignificant of our action.
And after reading up on the Sirah Nabawiyyah of Muhammad S.A.W. I feel that, no one can ever manifest love like he does. His love for us, the greatest Ummah – Masyallah- is beyond words.
Because I Am Not Good With Words.
A reminder for myself to improve my hijab….
And a responsibility to dedicate this to YOU. My beloved friend…
May we follow the right path with the correct niyyah(intention). Insyallah.
وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَاۖ وَلۡيَضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِہِنَّۖ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٲتِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيۡرِ أُوْلِى ٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَٲتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۖ وَلَا يَضۡرِبۡنَ بِأَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعۡلَمَ مَا يُخۡفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّۚ وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands’ fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.
24:31
Companions Of The Cave.
I really like that story.
Too bad, I was introduced to Rip Van Winkle when I was young instead of this.
My favourite part would be:
He whom Allah guideth, he indeed is led aright, and he whom He sendeth astray, for him thou will not find a guiding friend.
18:17
May my friends and family be blessed and be led towards siratol mustaqeem. Always.
Of Seniority… Or Is It?
Excited idiots on a new semester.
Year 2.
Thanks to PCP lau-pok Year 1s, I feel young.
I cannot imagine the day when these people would have to work under us, and be our subordinates. Some are mothers of 2, others simply looked old enough to be my dad, and they are my JUNIORS!
3 Zulhijjah 1409.
I got bored, and so I started to track my birthdate with accordance to the Hijrah calendar.
According to the Gregorian calendar, I am 19 turning 20 this year.
But, according to the Hijrah calendar, I am 20 turning 21 instead.
And so, my beloved friends out there…
Can we please commemorate my 21st birthday on 3 Zulhijjah this year?
And another 21st birthday on 7 July next year?
Cool or what?
For It Is An Act Of Charity.
As narrated by ‘Ali r.a.:
“When two Muslims meet and converse, Allah will forgive the one who has the most cheerful face.”
Please give me that strength, Insyallah.
Another Picnic.
This time round at Bishan Park.
Ha! Super uncool, I know.
With unknown bunch of people. With so many things to learn.
Strangeness.
There’s this whole other Zakiah that was never introduced to others before.
(more…)
You May Say I’m A Dreamer, But I’m Not The Only One…
Give me a rock. I want to knock some sense into somebody’s head right now.
When a Mother gives birth to a child, there is a promise made to God. A very simple promise.
To take full responsibility of the child. Of every single aspect of the child.
And in today’s context, nothing is ever more important than a child’s education. An investment like no other.
And it does not necessarily mean an economic investment. Being poor does not hinder one from achieving success in education. Especially not here, in Singapore.
But,
Lack of a supportive role does.
Lack of a conducive environment does.
Lack of parental guidance does.
Let’s Have Fun In The Sun!
With such a spontaneous family, nothing is predictable. And I love it that way
And so, I was quite worried about not being able to come back on time for the picnic. Ha! Like what I said, nothing is ever predictable with a crazy family.
I was given one hour notice for the trip, and 15 minutes before we all leave for the causeway, I was still in the train from Bugis from all those picnic shopping. Now, I’m pooped.
So here are pictures of our yet another typical-last-minute-mad-rush-roadtrip. Pardon for the bad quality. It was so last minute no one remembered to bring the camera. And so I had to resort to my pathetic phone.
A fine retreat, no?
No idea what they were looking through.
Good hotel. Good restaurant. Good Chef. Good food. Couldn’t ask for more. Could I?
Oooh! My first go at Oysters. They were HUGE.
Slurping his oyster up!
Enjoying our sumptuos meal.
With the super cool Bell “Pakcik”. Oeeii! Pakcik! Songkok takde tinggi lagi, ke?
Urgh. This pakcik’s songkok distracted me so much till I forgot to snap the desserts section. It’s wayy worth it than carousel, I tell you.
Pan Pacific again, please.
Alright now, I need some sleep.
And woohoo! PICNIC TOMORROW!!!
Deep Sleep.
I know I should not run away.
But oh wells, just let me live in denial a while more. So, let’s go shopping for picnic stuff tomorrow
Fadh! Will you be getting picnic mats? If not, I’m going to buy them.
هاري بوتر
I was surfing the web to find myself some Arabic children books to supplement my reading materials in Arabic. And guess what I found!
Eruption.
My cousin went to great lengths to prepare a volcano for her school children.
Seriously, when I had to do a volcano demonstration when I was a teacher, it just took me 2 minutes, a diet coke and some mint mentos. I just slab plasticine over the coke bottle. Tada!! A tall volcano was created.
Oh Perut! Kenapa Engkau Sakit?
I have an upset tummy that has been bugging me for days now.
Transitory Glory.
What is the force that propels us far from the comfort of all that is familiar and makes us face challenges, even though we know that the glory of the world will pass away?
I used to believe that this impulse is the search for the meaning of life.
I sought a definitive answer to this question in books, in art, in science… I found many answers, some of which lasted an impression on me, and there were others that failed to withstand even a single day’s analysis. And yet none of them was strong enough for me to be able to say; This is the meaning of life.
Then, I was convinced that the answer will never be vouchsafed to us in this life, but that, at the end, when we stand once more before the Creator, we will understand each opportunity that was offered to us.
The glory of the world is transitory, and we cannot measure our lives by it, only by decision we make to follow our personal goals, to believe in our utopias and to fight for them.
Each of us is the protagonist of our own life, and often it is the anonymous heroes who leave the most enduring marks.
But I now know. That truly, it will not matter what the answer will be anymore……
For it has been clear since the beginning of time. And the answer has always been the same, and will always be the same. Surah Adh-Dhzaariyaat ayaat 56 had a greater meaning than I thought.
Another Saturday.
An exam to sit for in a few hours time, and I have yet to study for it.
It’s the holiday mode, I swear. Everything else is switched off.
Shall go book shopping before the exam itself later.
Do you want to accompany me?
Like A Spoilt Tape Recorder.
I guess that’s about it, then.
Let me channel my energy elsewhere.
Speaking of which, I have an exam next week. And please do not let 17 March come.
My Favourite Tag.
You have been specially tagged.
Finally an Islamic based tag for the purpose of sharing and spreading knowledge. Do cut and paste the question and fill in your own responses and forward to 20 friends. I am sure you’ll be amazed how little we know about each other’s favourites in Islam and how much more we can learn from each other from this simple exercise. Spread the love and make dua for all Muslims.:)
1. Favourite Quranic verse:
Surah Al-Baqarah: 286
“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maulana (Patron, Suppor-ter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
Subhanallah, I just learnt this ayat 3 weeks ago, and fell in love with it when the sisters sat down to ponder upon this ayat. It is now, my source of strength.
Nevertheless, my favourite Surah is Al-Insyirah.
2. Favourite Hadith:
Hadith Qudsi 15:
“Allah the Almighty said:
‘I am as My servant thinks I am (1). I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.”
3.Favourite Quran Reciter:
Sheikh Sa’ad Al Ghamdi. Masyallah, he recites the Qur’an beautifully. I even downloaded his recitations of the entire 30 Juz of Qur’an.
4.Favourite English Nasheed:
What Did I Do Today by Dawud Wharnsby Ali.
5.Favourite Nasheed in any other language:
Puji-Pujian by Raihan
6.Favourite mosque in SG:
I do not have any favourites.
7. Most beautiful mosque you’ve been to:
So far, i think it’s Masjid Shah Alam. Insyallah, I’m going to visit an even more magnificent mosque.
8. Favourite dzikr:
Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection]. I pray that I have the discipline to recite this as often as I can.
9. Which holy city has stolen your heart? Mecca or Madinah?:
Madinah Al Munawwarah. City of the Holy Prophet.
10. One quranic dua you can share:
Surah Taha: 25-27
“My Lord! Relieve my mind, and ease my task for me; And loosen the knot from in my tongue, so that others may understand my speech.”
The simple doa’ that I begin my day with every morning.
11. One outstanding male companion of the Prophet(pbuh) you admire:
Bilal Bin Rabah (ra).
12. One outstanding Muslimah you admire:
Mdm Jamelah Sulaiman. She taught me that a Muslimah does not stop one from achieving success, to dream big, and be BIG!
13. When did you first don the hijab?
Between 11-12 years old. Alhamdulillah, there was no pressure from my parents or anyone.
14. Describe your typical Muslimah fashion.
Simple, non-fanciful attire with 40/60 inch tudung. No fancy hijab style because I have no time and no patience. Heh.
15. Share current religious classes you are planning to attend or attending:
Currently doing Certificate in Islamic Studies
16. When was your last umrah/hajj?
Insyallah, soon.
17. Share one Islamic website you frequent and why?
None at the moment.
18. Do you speak Arabic?
Learning it right now
19. Human organ transplant act- for or against?
I still have not read up more about it to give any verdict.
20. Share one or more religious book you have read or are reading?
Al-Qur’an And Modern Science by Ali Abdul Hamid Abu Al-Khair
No god but God by Reza Aslan
21. One Islam related youtube video you can share:
Late Ahmad Deedat’s debate on Christianity. There’s too many to share. Search Ahmad Deedat on youtube.
22. One children’s nasheed to share:
Upsy Daisy by Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) I sing this song to little Mardhiah all the time
23. Favourite halal eating joint in Singapore or abroad?
Does home counts as a halal eating joint?
24. Favourite Muslim names:
My kids are going to have these names
Insyirah (Solace)
Syifa’-ul-Qalbi (A heart’s antidote / penawar hati)
Bilal (in remembrance of Bilal Bin Ra’bah)
Umar (in remembrance of Umar ibn Al-Khattab)
25. Name one restaurant in Singapore you wish would turn halal:
Subway. I want to eat fresh.
Slumber Party.
What did I do at work?
Sleep, watch movies and gossip.
This is my workstation for this whole week. How not to sleep when I go to work?
Alhamdulillah.
My goodness!
How fake can people get? I’m disappointed, but at the same time, very very grateful.
Thank god, for finding out way before things get out of control.
At-Toybbuna Lit Toybb. Insyallah.
Let me end off this post with this sharing for beloved Ukhtis out there:
A New Beginning.
I’m busy and drained with hospital attachments, night classes, projects and what nots.
Anyway, hospital attachments are fun, because I love to work with patients, just as long as they’re not the obnoxious type.
And so, I’ve set up a blog for my class group project. Do check it out alright.
http://insyirah09.wordpress.com
Why the name, you may ask. Well, basically Insyirah means solace, and it’s my favourite Surah in the Qur-an. I had to add 09 at the back because someone took the name already
Alright now, that’s about all for now. Take care, people!
Marsya Daaniyah.
The latest addition.
One Day Old
Isn’t she beautiful? Masyallah.
She felt so fragile and delicate when I cradled her in my arms, but it was a nice feeling because she made the world stop, making me forget about everything else, except for the fact that she’s all cuddled up blissfully in my arms =)
In Your Hands.
Today, I received a scholarship offer letter from NHC. How weird is that? It amused me, anyway.
You see, Yi Xiang and I were both convinced that we’ve got blacklisted by NHC.
Given that we were the only 2 in our cohort to be shortlisted for an interview with NHC, last year, we both just had to ditch it and told them we’re accepting another hospital’s offer. Sheesh. Poor Yi Xiang. He had to face the music from the NHC people – for the both of us. For that, I thank you Yi Xiang!
Why the crap didn’t we accept NHC scholarship offer? Which would eventually pay us more and give us better benefits.
Why did we accept the other hospital’s offer? Which, after getting attached there, did not give me a good impression of the working environment.
All I can say is that we were not very smart people, who act upon rashness and out of convenience, at that time.
I’m not saying that I regret my decision. I just thought I would like to share with you a lesson learnt, and this whole scholarship saga provided an apt analogy.
In life, we often stumble upon crossroads. We are to make decisions on which route to choose and eventually, follow it. With hopes that it is the perfect path meant for us to reach our final destination.
When we look back and realised that there are other better paths that we could have chose, never, my friend, regret and blame others for the path that you’ve already taken. Continue to persevere and strive for goodness out of it. For God works in mysterious ways. Always be thankful, and be mindful that there are others who might have chose a worse path, or did not even have the capability to choose. Have plenty of faith!
Right now, I couldn’t ask for things to happen in any other way =)
In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah. There is no power or strength, except by Allah, The Most High, and The Most Grand.
He is the All Knower, All Wise.
A Hero In My Own League.
Times are bleak. And it looks set to turn even bleaker. Not just on the international front. Even on our own doorsteps we face the bleakness of the trials we are faced with. Trials we have to overcome.
I loved watching Superman as a child. The idea that there was a hero out there for everyone. Someone just. Someone loyal. Someone with morals. Values. Never mind that the colour of his suit symbolised the American flag. He was a guardian of the people, for the people. He was the world’s saviour.
He is the fictional version of the prophets who came to the world, with the mission to save the nations they were sent to. Minus the cape and flying capabilities, these prophets were super human heroes not sent from planet Krypton, but the heavens above. And like every super hero, they each had their own “ability” which made them unique.
Some could speak directly to God. Some received messages that are followed till today. And came the time when the last prophet would come and depart from this world. The generation of super heroes ceased to exist. Only their messages remain.
They were super heroes and human beings, like ourselves. They strived to teach us to be our own heroes. To be just. To be loyal. To have morals. Values. We wouldn’t need a cape, x-ray vision or the ability to fly. We would have something more powerful than those last-decade materialistic accessories.
We would have a candle re-kindled in the hopes of our hearts, the depths of our lonely souls. Our spirit would re-unite with the ultimate Super Hero, our ultimate saviour, our beloved Lord.
Through Him we would learn to be our own heroes. To be just. To be loyal. To have morals. Values.
We would fly, not with a cape or flying abilities, but with our spiritual wings.
We would see, not with the x-ray vision abilities, but with the vision of faith.
We would strive to be heroes not only for ourselves but for each and every person we connected with, be it a loved one or a stranger. Because being just, being merciful, having morals and values is the only way to not just being a decent human being, not just a part-time hero, but a hero in every moment of our waking lives. Through the little and major situations we come across. Through our attitudes and manners. Through it all. To believe in oneself. To believe in our inner power to do good. To touch someone’s life.
We don’t need a fictional superman film with a good dose of popcorn. We’ve got ourselves.
Why?
Because somewhere in the Heavens our Super Hero breathed into us. We carry a seed of Heroism in our souls.
We only need to find it and nurture it for it to grow and join the millions of heroes out there.
Perhaps then we can create a better world.
A beautiful forest.
A garden of Eden.
Insyallah.
Finding My Way…
Nothing can ever be more soothing to the soul than to return to God’s words. Subhanallah – Glory Be to Allah.
I came across these scriptures, which with deep interpretation, was able to enlighten me and made me realised how weak I am:
“…Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts…”
[13:11]
“Have they not travelled in the land, so that they may have hearts wherewith to feel and ears wherewith to hear? For indeed it is not in the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are within bosoms, that grow blind”
[22:46]
Contemplating.
I have been thinking a lot recently.
Let me just retreat from everything.
2009.
I have to agree with Ain Anak Juwaini. The biggest highlight of 2008 was the decision to enter a Polytechnic to do Diagnostic Radiography instead of entering a University.
It is still a post-A Level course, except with GRRRR-EAT coursemates that I could ever ask for!
Plus it’s a LOAD MORE FUN too as we get to work with real human dead bodies, make a hospital our playground, pretend we’re important people with our white lab coats and going ka-chingg ka-chingg with 900 bucks being banked in on every month. Haha.
There, I had a blast of 2008. =))
Alone On The Road.
Life is like a great bicycle race, whose aim is to fulfil our personal legend, which, according to the ancient alchemists, is our true mission on earth.
We all set off toegether, sharing friendship and enthusiasm; but as the race progresses, that initial happiness gives way to the real challenges: tiredness, boredom, doubts about your own abilities. We noticed that a few friends have, in their hearts, already given up. They are still cycling, but only because they cannot stop in the middle of the road.
We eventually leave them behind us, and then we come face to face with loneliness, with unfamiliar bends in the road, and mechanical problems with our bicycle. At a certain stage, after suffering a few falls with no one at hand to help, we begin to ask ourselves if it’s really worth all the effort.
We live in a universe that is at once vast enough to enclose us, and small enough to fit inside our heart.
In the soul of a man is the soul of the world, the silence of wisdom. As we pedal towards our goal, we must make a point of asking ourselves: ‘What is beautiful about today?’ The sun might be shining, but if it happens to be raining, always remember that this only means that the dark cloudswill soon have disappeared. The clouds do disappear; but the sun remains the same, and never goes away. In moments of loneliness, it is important to remember this.
When things get hard, let us not forget that EVERYONE has experienced exactly the same. A lonely prayer written by Egyptian Sufi master Dhu’l-Nun (d.AD 861) neatly sums up the attitude one needs to adopt at such times:
O God, when I listen to the voices of the animals, to the sound of trees, the murmur of the water, the singing of the birds, to the rushing of the wind or to the rumble of thunder, I see in them evidence of Your unity; I feel that You are supreme power, supreme knowledge, supreme wisdom, supreme justice.
O God, I also recognize you in the difficulties I am experiencing now. God, let Your satisfaction be my satisfaction, and let me be Your joy, the joy that a Father takes in his child. And let me remember You with calmness and determination, even when it is hard for me to say: I love You
It’s The 25th!
That means it’s Pay Day!
But I have to spend it all on my course/class fees.
Through The Looking Glass.
I love my Monday class =)
The lecturer is superb, and has torqued my view on History lessons. Now, I can never synonymise boredom and history. Ha! To think that would come from someone who has never pass a single History test in Sec 1 & 2.
