No longer the same Ramadan

Bismillah.

Assalammualaikum.

The new semester has begin. The fact that it starts together with the holy month of Ramadan making it exceptionally different. I may used to fast in long schooling hours before, yet this time the surrounding is no longer a like. It is a complete 180° turn. Apart from being far from home, the fasting hour is lot shorter, just 12 hours of hunger ( maybe similar to those in Sabah or Sarawak I guess) and I do really missed the chaotic bazaar Ramadan every evening in Malaysia. Sometime, it is absurd yet amusing on how highly creative the Malaysian inventing drinks with different colours and taste that abruptly appeared in Ramadan. The foods are not an exceptional either.

It has never been hard fasting in Malaysia. Normally, the night before we gather around the television waiting for an old man to appear and announce the fasting date. Then we update our status on Facebook and tweeter, and messages keep on popping in to our phones wishing Ramadan Mubarak. Besides Eid Ul Fitr, the lines would be crowded with this texting all over the places. Later, the whole family would surely, cramp into cars and head for nearest mosque for taraweeh prayer. It is so beautiful as the spirit of Ramadan filled the air and no wonder the mosques were full for the very first week.

But here, the scenario is the other way around. The only state in Australia, Adelaide fast on Friday, a day earlier. It was announced by IICSA (Islamic Information Centre of South Australia) on Thursday night on its web. Some said, the imams agreed to follow the global sighting rather than the local sighting and fast the same day as Saudi did.  Alhamdulillah, Islamic knowledge among the students are excellent. They have own reasoning. Some follow the jamaah and some did start fasting on Saturday. No matter what it is, Allah knows best. Perhaps we have separate day in celebrating Eid this year.

In Malaysia, some would use the break to start the very first Ramadan with family members. Mum will force us up in whatever means for suhoor. Delicious foods are already served on table moments we step to the kitchen. But, that’s not the case here. We struggle to wake up before dawn just to discover some dried breads on table and bottle of jam. Yet, it is more than enough indeed. InshaAllah there is blessing in every suhoor.

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1923; Muslim, 1095.

The iftar is very much similar in Malaysia. We go to the nearest mosque purely to experience the joy of breaking the fast in foreign country besides aiming for the free meals. I couldn’t help to recall all the mosques in Subang.  Daily, my housemates and I would travel together looking for mosque for iftar. Commonly, Al Falah mosque that was well known for its excessive and luxurious food would be top on list, but at the bottom based on length of taraweeh.

The muslim community here is a mixture of various skin colours and nationalities, as if we are on hajj in Makkah. “Various skin colours, fashions and delightful perfumes” as my friend captioned on her status.  Instead of billions, being a small community at whole is the only fact that makes up the different. Still it doesn’t stop us from having our own iftar and taraweeh together. Moreover, the brotherhood and ukhwah appears concrete here. The brothers would hug one another instead of professional hand shaking, and make dua’ for the others.  

The spirit of Ramadan is more here. Prior Isya’, distance Quran recitation could be heard from all parts of the mosque and number of jamaah going for taraweeh never declined since the first day. More and more people are coming, together with their children and wives. The taraweeh is simple and short. There is no salawat in between to vary each rakat. A short stop would be enough. I have to ask my senior to differentiate the eight taraweeh with the other three witr prayers. Besides, outside speaker is used in reciting the Quran during the prayers.

In Malaysia, it is always about food. Yet, sadly there is no moreh here.

Despite all those differences, one remains similar. The Ramadan itself. No matter where and in which seasons would we be we are still celebrating and cherish the same Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of contemplation, spiritually and brotherhood. Verily it is the month full of blessing and forgiveness.

"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

Fasting is a must upon the muslim with hope we would be the muttaqoon-the righteous and those who has taqwa in their hearts. It is not the month we seek for expensive hotels and book the best iftar deal or busy shopping for Eid Ul Fitr to replace the old stuffs. Indeed, we are in great lost if we treat this month equally with other normal days.

It is the month in which Allah revealed the Quran as guidance for the whole of mankind. It is the month in which Allah gave the Muslims victory in their first and greatest battle at Badr. It is the month which has  Laylat al-Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months.

Indeed, in Ramadan the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up and the reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month. Thus, the only enemy in this month is our exploding lava of nafs that sometimes uncontrollable.

InshaAllah, this month is a great platform to train our evil nafs and cultivate istiqamaah in our good acts and deeds. Lets us InshaAllah embark to become a better muslim, at least better than what we are before. Let’s make the different in this Ramadan, let it be different from previous year as Allah give us this chance freely for nothing, but with hope that we would reflect and commence something good. 

Please forgive me for any bad opinion in this post.

Wallahualam. :)

The biscuits

When I was a kid, my mom would prepare special breakfast every now and then. And I remember one night in particular, after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad.

I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed. Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said: Honey, I love burned biscuits.
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned.
He wrapped me in his arms and said, Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone! You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I make so many mistakes forget to congratulate people on their special occasions.

What I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults – and choosing to celebrate each others differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that’s my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life but always have trust in God. Because in the end, He’s the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt... biscuit isn’t a deal-breaker!
We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!
Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket – keep it in your own.

So Please pass Us a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine.!

May we be rewarded in this month of blessing, Ramadan. InshaAllah. :)

Trials

Bismillah

Indeed, every muslim can simply say that they believe in Allah. They, will not do bad stuffs and obey all the rules set by Him. 

I as well can say that I'm trustworthy and reliable, will you swiftly believe?

Someone told me that, there will be moment in our life that we will really be tested. 

If we picture life as a wheel, we would be at the bottom. Hit by hard stones and  stained by mud and dirt.

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?
But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. ( Al 'Ankabut: 2-3)

Allah promised us that, we will be tested.

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said,"When is the help of Allah ?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. (Al-Baqarah: 214)

I may not know the hardships that you went through.

Some might lost the one they love most

Some might be chained by poverty and sadness

Some may always be bullied and alienated by others 

or some might lost his dream, a dream that he wanted most

No matter what is it, everything is from Allah

There are reasons behind those hardships

Perhaps He loves you, seeing you getting further from Him, a small hardship would make you realise its time to return to your creator.

Perhaps seeing your faith is getting weaker, a small trials would revive the iman.

Maybe we forget where we stand in this world, a small trial would make you realise how small your are compared to Him.

Some said, sometimes be grateful is harder than patience

Someone failed in his end of year exam.

"Be patience, He will show you the way"

and we keep calm and stay patience.

But, how many would say Alhamdulillah when troubles come unexpectedly?

Verily, He knows us best.

He would never burden us with something unbearable. 

He would never be cruel to His servants.

Be like the Sahabah, who eagerly waiting for trials from Allah. Moments they were free of any trials, their hearts felt anxious and worries as if God had forgotten them.

 We lay everything that happen as from Allah, surely the heart will seek peace and calm. Indeed,  never those happen for nothing rather for our own good. 

Inshaallah. :)

Amin. 

le lesson pour me #1

Early this morning my friend intended to borrow some cash
I stood in silent
My heart whispered to me
"Why me, do you think I've so much money to be lent out swiftly?!"
But, still I gave it to him
Then, I saw this hadith.
Allah gave me an assurance, injecting a good thought.
A lesson, Alhamdulillah.
Indeed every sincere kindness will absolutely be rewarded.
Even it is simple.
Astagfirullah Al Azim
InsyaAllah.

Closer to Him

Bismillah

I’ve never thought of this question. In fact never it crossed my mind until someone brought it up abruptly.

What is so special about Islam? Living abroad, I went through all the troubles seeking for halal butcher and examining the ingredients prior buying. Prevent oneself from eating recklessly.

But, Islam is special because of Allah Himself.

It is indeed the feeling of being close to Him. Barriers never exist between human and Allah Azza Wajalla. We never go through an Ustaz to seek for forgiveness; we simply say it -straight to Him.

“There is no private conversation of three except that He is the fourth of them, nor are there five but that He is the sixth of them ‐ and no less than that and no more except that He is with them wherever they are” 

(Al Mujadalah: 7)

We have to believe, that Allah is always close to us.

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me” (Al Baqarah: 186)

He is close and He knows everything. His knowledge covers everything. Not a leaf fall but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth or anything neither fresh nor dry, but is clear in His knowledge.  

Yet, we always forget this fact, not excluding this self.

When we lost a thing, we feel as if we have lost everything. When we failed to achieve our dream, we feel despair and sad over it. When we look at others, in joy with their triumphs, we sit at the corner and cry over it.

“Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us” (At Taubah: 40)

Indeed Allah is the best planner.

Once, a man said,

Allah gives despair to His slaves; never. It is just that, when He answers to our wishes, He fulfils them in many ways.

Human sometimes think money will leads to prosperity and happiness. So, they ask for mountains of fortunes.  Allah only gives them few, but He gives them lots of happiness.

We just need to believe, He is the Most gracious and loving.

In the eyes of others, we may have failed. But He knows what is best for us. He knows best what we actually need.

Yet, we feel couldn’t help to feel down sometimes. As if, there is no way out and everything seems impossible.

But, remember He is near and always hears you. Despite He knows what is in your heart, He wants you to let it out to Him.

Pray to Him

Indeed by remembering Him, your heart will seek calmness.

Inshaallah :) 

Ramadhan

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan is coming soon.
The month we have been waiting for.
Told in Hadith,
The best charity is that given in Ramadhan
(At-Tarmithi)
He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person’s rewards (Ahmad)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) was the most generous person, and he used to be most generous in Ramadhan (Bukhari)

Inshaallah, lets us change for the sake of Allah

Indeed, Ramadhan is the best month to reflect ourself

We used to be far from Him

We forgot to say Alhamdulillah for all His blessing

We forgot to put Him on top of everything

Verily, every deed of a person will receive 10-700 times reward

except fasting

As it for Allah, and He will reward it as He likes. (al-Bukhari  Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

Inshaallah, together we join the quest;

seeking for His blessing and pleasure

This world is a bridge, and a bridge should not be taken as home (Ibn Al Jazwi)

Sesungguhnya, dunia ini hina di sisi Allah

"Kalaulah nilai dunia ini menyamai nilai sebelah sayap seekor nyamuk nescaya Allah tidak akan memberi seteguk airpun untuk minuman orang kafir"
Inshaallah,

May we have a better Ramadhan this year, Amin. 

Allahualam :)