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"Remember Allah in prosperity, He will remember you in adversity." (Sunan Tarmizi)
It has become a norm for many people; when we are happy, easy, have no worries, we tend to forget the most important thing in our lives. The same goes to me. Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah. It's not simply by reciting prayers, praising the Lord, and say thanks to Him, but it's more than that.
My primitive understanding of "Zikrullah" once was to takbir, tahmid, tasbih, and et cetera. But I came to a realisation that it was not enough to that extent. The concept of Zikrullah that I understood was not comprehensive (syumul)! I already knew that the common grasp of the concept of "Zikrullah" is the remembrance of Allah and supported by many hadith, but I was thinking that I'm not doing any different from what a priest do; to remember God and to praise Him.
I contemplated upon myself; what else is not complete?
Then, I was struck by a thought; my mind said to me: Zikrullah is to remember Allah, to do what I should do, and to be sincere in whatever I do...or simply said: Taqwa. Zikrullah is not simply said, but it must be proven. Everyone can say everything. Even when the Pharaoh in the end of his life, beseeched Allah to spare his life; but nothing he proved worthy of Allah's mercy.
That to demonstrate Zikrullah is not only by words. The definition of Iman itself is enough to enlighten the whole concepts in Islam. "by Heart, by Words, and by Practice." that's Iman and that's Zikrullah.
Allah said in the Quran (At-Talaq : 2-3) or what's knowned as "1000 dinar verse" :
"...and whoever have taqwa to Allah, He will make for him a way out."
"And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His affairs. Allah has already set everything a (decreed) extent."
...when eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them...
...when our perils past, shall our gratitude sleep?...
"A calamity that makes you turn to Allah
is better than a blessing that makes you forget the remembrance of Allah."
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There was one word I learnt from my junior H during the last MARA program.
"KIASU"
or in other word "fear of losing" (wikipedia). Before this, I thought it brings the meaning of excessively hardworking, nerd, or similar to that, but it's proven that I was wrong. I was actually stunned inside my heart when I heart the meaning.
I reflected it upon myself. I always wanted to be someone who win. I always wanted to have things that I wanted. I always wanted to succeed in everything. I worked hard towards my goal. And because of that, I was actually training myself to become someone who is fear of losing. I ever experienced a situation of losing before, it felt like my heart bursting and my veins jam-packed with the gushing extracellular fluids trying to drive themselves out of my body (hyperbolically). Since childhood I was educating myself to become a winner, even the teenage me can't even imagine myself competed public speaking in the state level when I was just 5 years old.
But, that was a long time ago. The 'current' me is not an outspoken person, but rather a silent kind. I cannot accept defeat before, but the 'current' me now thinks that there's no value in winning everything; in fact, the most important thing is the values or meanings of something that I get in my life.
Well, there's no trouble in being Kiasu; and also there's no trouble in being non-Kiasu. Never disparage good manners (eg being kiasu) of other people, because you too will find yourself in hatred of derogation. Above all, what's more important is to get to understand and value everyone and everything that happens in our lives better. And to put simply, "Appreciate and you will be appreciated."
Allah said in the Quran (An-Najm 54: 24-25) :
"Shall Man have whatever he wishes?
(No!) But to Allah belong the last (the hereafter) and the first (the world)."
...fears are nothing more than a state of mind...
...either moves towards something that you love, or away from something that you fear...
...the first expands, the latter constricts...
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The happiest life in the world is when you don't have to be number one. But also, the happiest life in the world is when you are number one.
That makes me ponder upon the pursuit of happiness (sounds like a movie title :D). A friend of mine once said to me "you cannot always be the first, the important thing is that you get the qualification and that's the time for you to blossom." Fair enough.
Before, I always strive for higher position in academics, but that still didn't bring me anywhere further. If I get first class in academics, then what? Do I get free passage to the heaven promised by the Lord? erm.. The prophet Muhammad once mentioned that the journey of pursuing knowledge will shape the path to the heaven.
But, truthfully, everyone of us should contemplate again and again, are we really in the pursuit of ever-lasting happiness or the worldly happiness? Honestly.. To become a 'worldly' doctor or to become a 'heavenly' doctor?
and...
are we in the pursuit of happiness??
Allah said in the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2 : 155) :
"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (those who patiently persevere)."
...the pursuit of happiness is a ridiculous phrase...
...if you pursue happiness, you'll never find it...
"Happiness is a journey, not a destination"
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It's infinitely true that well-being is really really an utmost vital thing in our lives. Again and again, I revised Forty Hadith (Hadith Arbain) put together by Imam Nawawi. It struck me over and over thinking that almost everyday in my lives, those hadith reminds me to become a true muslim. Yup. Not everyone knows what was and is hidden inside my heart, but me and my creator.
Me, being a kind of secretive person sometimes need someone to understand the kind of water I am in, but not everything been told off. Reminiscing how ecstatic I was before going back to Malaysia, thinking that I'll be able to meet my family, friends, to do many things and so on, now I felt dull. Not because I'm not able to do many stuffs, but feeling scared of the upcoming future.
Some people said I am actively involved in programs during this summer. But in fact, almost in many occasions I will always giving excuses not to involve. Not many really knows the reasons why, and I never really told the reasons. I just want to cherish all the moments during this summer to make my parents happy. I would spend thousands of ringgit just to put them in even slight ease of mind if that's what can give them peace of mind.
I hope...I really hope that I could see you again for the next summer. Thank you for all your love. It can never be replaced. May Allah helps you endeavour through your journey of life; a journey loaded with tonnes of pointed broken glasses. jzkk T.T
" Say, "O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.
You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account." "
O Allah, what a worldly test you decided upon your weak creation. Now I know how sweet health is. T_T
...sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot...
...however from the bitterness of diseases, we learn the sweetness of health...
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Today, we are living in the age of insult. Anyone can freely and openly insult one another, mostly in the name of telling the truth. The truth is, our population currently evolves to adapt this habit of insult as another nature of life. Although this habit is growing rapidly on today’s web, it had been scavenging the lands for as long as we can remember; and thus it also had evolved into a more carnivorous type.
During this age, when anyone insults you, you are considered weak if you didn’t fight back. You have to argue them and defend yourself from all the negative things they said, and if you could do so until all of them shut their mouth, you are a great man. According to the professionals of this age, it is okay to insult those who had insulted us in means of proving they had done bigger mistake than us and we had done nothing wrong - or only a small, tiny mistake compared to them.
Some would even suggest developing a counter-insult weapon, which consist mainly of the possible insulter’s personal secrets and dark history that would bring shame if known to public. A deadly weapon indeed, but the deadliest of all is none other than The Backstabber itself. The best way to bring down the enemy is by being by their side most of the time and ready to strike, anytime.
Let us be clear of one thing, insulting is not criticizing. They are not even close. Insulting is actions to ruin someone’s reputation upon a group and criticizing are a mean of advice that is direct; as some prefer the term harsh advice. Insults usually come into contact with other people first before it came to the insulted. There are reported cases of open face-to-face insult, and so it is practiced in many organizations. As for critics, the two sides would confront one another and have the will for a better future from the start of their meeting.
Insult is a very good anger-starter. Most of the time, it ended up in a fight either verbally or physically. When our pride is at stake and our great efforts are dummied, it’s not a surprise if any of us suddenly vent out a heavy punch or two, they deserve it.
In these situations, we are greatly urged to take defensive measures. However, answering back is only satisfying for a temporary period, and it actually allows the opponent to win. It is pointless to make anyone who dislikes you to understand. They will give just enough rope to save yourself, but in the end they'll hang you with that same rope.
It is important to remain patient and if you need to talk, talk calmly. Being patience shows strength of character and signals to them you are not that timid. Patience is not losing the ability to be angry; patience is to control your anger instead of it controlling you.
He who angers you controls you. Thus, don’t make your anger cheap. Keep silent. Hold that tongue. And that hand. Negative behavior meets negative behavior won’t produce a positive atmosphere. Just bear in mind, in reality, there are some people that would insult others to make themselves look good and feel good. But if you have to insult others to be happy, there is definitely something wrong with your life.
As insult requires high patience and perseverance, handling critics is another thing. Most people can’t accept raw-critics. Thus, just like raw milk, it had to be processed in order to be taken in easily and confidently. A vital order on critics processing is separation. Separate the critics word by word from the way you hear it and you’ll eventually get their point. Then, after it finishes processing, it’s up to you to eat up the critics or just put them on the table, keep it in view.
In the end, when your colleagues suddenly throw you strings of nasty words and you are still thinking of ‘defending’ yourself, imagine them with two horns on their heads and a tail in their back. Now, you wouldn’t waste your time arguing with that, would you? XD
Allah SWT said in the Quran (Al-Hujurat 47:11) :
"O you who ave believed, let no men shall deride (another) men; it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves. And no women shall deride (another) women; it may well be that those (whom they deride) are better than themselves.And neither shall you defame one another nor insult one another by epithets (calling offensive nicknames). Wretched is the name of disobedience after (one has attained to) faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the evildoers."
...i just don't believe that we have to come in
and insult people when we want to change things...
...remember that: the problem with the gene pool is that there's no lifeguard...
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Sometimes I wonder why God created man with limited ability to forgive. I've seen the world that I live in is filled with hatred, selfishness. "He is a filthy man! He took dirty money from people!" (hate). "He did a sin from taking money from other people. I hope he will realise his mistakes one day and may God guide him to the right path." (love). Can ones feel two different feelings from one similar situation? Hate and love.
Human beings always being too judgemental about their and other people's lives. We are living in a world where people do judge us and we judge them. I wish if I could bring love to the humankind, insyaAllah I would. Perhaps there are not many people hold onto their belief firmly.
I believe that all people want to be like the prophets who were forgiving, lovely, kind-hearted, and et cetera but it might because of the worldly temptations and the devils that some people diverted from their right path. Never stop loving!
The phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover!" really struck me over and over. People know it and even say it, but less of them really appreciate it. We as normal human beings can never be apart from judging people. Yup, that's true.
But, it is always up to us to shape our thought about the people around us, our family, friends, and others. It is always up to us to clean up our heart from hatred, bad thought and fill it with love and forgiveness. If we see people who do a bad thing, never say "He is a bad person." because God always give chances to all mankind to ask for forgiveness before we die. So no one is purer than the other. It always depends how do we proceed with our actions.
Are we going to forgive and love? Or are we going to leave and hate?
Allah said in the Quran (Al-Hasyr 59:10) :
"And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment towards those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."
...love, and you will be loved...
...because love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problems of mankind...
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I'd like to share a story of my life. The last 2 days, I bought a sugar glider. The one that looks like a hamster, but is actually not. It is not a species of rodents. And plus, it is not stinky. Sugar glider is a kind of marsupials that live in the wild, but mostly does not live long because its only defensive mechanism is its sound. It has no teeth or claws that can even give slight pain sensation upon my skin. But, under good human care, its life may extend from approximately 5 years in the wild to 10-15 years.
The only reason I bought this sugar glider was because its kinds are so friendly that they will hang around their carers and mix up with people while loyal to one person that it likes the most. When I got my own sugar glider, it was so young that it was taken away from its family. It was quite aggressive at first seeing big hands touching its fur and hands and head, and tail. It was very scared. Started being a carer of this lovely little female sugar glider, I started searching on the net on how to take care of this little baby. The first and second day, it was quite aggressive towards anyone who tried to become closer to it including me myself. It made a sound that always shock whoever wanted to make a contact with it. Repeatedly, you will always feel shocked whenever you try to touch it even though it can never harm you. I read on a website made specifically for carers of sugar gliders and it says never be afraid when the baby make that scary sound because if you are scared, it will feel more scared!
So I followed what was said, kept it out of the cage, put it in my hands, rubbed its back, head, and tail, and yah my brother and my mother try to touch it and it made the sound while it didn't make any when I put my hand in its house. I was feeling so happy that it didn't make any sound! Because that sound usually means "I'm scared! Don't come any closer!" So, I stumbled across the idea of "Trust".
Trust is not as easy to be built as friendship. The foundation of Trust itself is too much complicated that ones cannot expect that once he was said to be trusted by another, he will be trusted forever. Nope! Trust cannot be built by words themselves or by actions only. But in fact, time is the main factor. Yup, definitely I want to say "Experience". Likes my baby sugar glider.. :)
Could you imagine what your life would be if you do not trust anybody and nobody trusted you?
It is unfortunate that the world that we live in today has become filled with situations where we cannot afford to trust everyone because some people may take advantage. Children have to be taught not to trust strangers for the fear of what may happen. People can become conditioned not to trust politicians and many are wary of media. Trust might be our birthright, but the abuse of the power that trust gives people means that very frequent the automatic trust level that we are born with can become something that we are very wary to give. And not trusting affects the way people trust or mistrust us.
A relationship is built on the keystone of Trust. I am truly sorry for myself that I cannot befriend with all people that I met. I am sorry for myself that I cannot start a conversation with all new people that I met before. As I reminisced that all my best friends were someone that 'Hi' me first, I felt sorry for myself that I was hardly say 'Hi' first to my friends. I am sorry that the friendship that I built for myself is solely based on the foundation of experience. I felt moved that my primary school friends can still even remember me.
ps: It's true that a friend whom I am closest to is the friend who spends a lot of time with me and regards me as his closest friend. Am I being too judgemental? Erm..I guess it is just being me.. Already missing the experience with my only friend who likes to lean his head onto my shoulder. T_T
Allah said in the Holy Quran (Ali Imran 3:118) :
Allah said in the Holy Quran (Ali Imran 3:118) :
"O you who have believed, do not take as intimates (trustee) those other than within yourselves, for they will not spare you any ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their hearts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you have wisdom."
...to be trusted is a greater compliment than it is to be loved...
...because those you trust the most can steal the most...
