Sheikh Nabil Farabi Al-Syariff

Peace & Prosperity

2012-01-24T23:51:00.006+08:00

It is this forgotten tenet that has caused severe predatory warfare on the crucial values of human civilization that we can see through history how people had been shedding blood and escalating their pride higher than what they deserved.

I stood in awful silence after having ruminated over adverse consequences of the deprivation of human values caused by the worldly pleasures that people have been envisaged with.

" Ya Allah, without You, I do not know whether I can endure this perpetual pains and endless tribulations. I know that the Shayaatin are always there, whispering into my ear to neglect Your commandments, ruining my faith, thwarting my plan of attaining your Mercy.

Trying their best to bring all inimical influences to debauch my integrity and devote myself to emotional binge while slowly pushing me into a devastating anarchy. Yet with their despicable sly, Your Might and Mercy defeats them timelessly, purging my soul from deplorable afflictions, cleansing my Iman, purifying my intention in everything I do, that I may keep awake in devoutness and able to achieve Your graceful blessings. Insha Allah. "

Maybe we have to redefine back the actual meaning of 'Love' and start to be more practical rather than promoting unfeasible philosophies.

Lend a hand and change this world. Secularism has indeed failed the world. Back to Al-Qur'an and As-Sunnah.

دعونا نعود إلى القرآن الكريم وسنة رسول الله

Coming of Age

2012-01-14T14:38:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

All praise is due to Him, Lord of the Worlds. Glorified is Allah in His loftiness.

The path I trod on for the last 6 months got me out of my depth. I was chained by shackles of difficulties and the predicament that I was tied with had invigorated my soul as well as my spatial cognition to deal with the challenges that kept on lining up in my way. The situation was ineffable and I frequently grumbled about my inability to cope with the problems. I isolated myself from the people. The Qur'an and prayer mat were my closest friends and I prostrated everyday to Allah to absolve me from the distress.

I know, this sounds so hapless, helpless and hopeless, but it had given me so many lessons on life. Only Allah knows how much had I bawled almost everyday under the blanket, during the prayer, knowing myself was so weak. When things went against my way, it crashed my heart severely. Faith. Life. Ikhtillat. Deeds. Indulgence. Honesty. One of the events that was not that serious really got me heated up was when my friends and I were accused of committing plagiarism for copying answers. It was a take-home test and we did it together and all of a sudden, to have the same structures got we all in utter misery. My carry mark was deducted and I got less than half. Nevertheless, I believed everything happened for a reason and I left everything to Allah to do the rest. (It's the toughest course)

Insha Allah, I shall share with you things I have experienced throughout my journey in my second year of study in IIUM in the upcoming posts.

Besides that, Alhamdulillah, 2011 ended with exhilarating, Iman-boosting conference; Twins of Faith Malaysia organized by Mercy Mission. Subhan Allah, there were 4000 participants joining the event, trying to improve themselves to be a better Muslim than before. A lot of Great Muslim Clerics came from all over the world, sharing knowledge after knowledge for 2 consecutive days. Lectures were all inspiring and my heart broke into pieces upon listening to the Seerah of the Prophets and the Companions. I learned a lot.

Finals are done. Next week I am heading to Singapore, and after 4 months leaving this blog empty and mundane, Insha Allah, I will share with you my stories in Singapore. :)

Striving to Attain Your Blessings

2012-01-08T09:23:00.003+08:00

Ya Allah,
I don't want my Iman to be incapacitated
by this worthless excitements
and ephemeral satisfactions
in this age of paradoxes
of all the bad things I have seen before,
it gives me that nerve,
with my back against the wall.

Ya Allah,
I am still weak,
5 years ago I made a lot of mistakes,
Now that I am improving myself,
I still find it extremely difficult,
I cried a lot,
I grumbled a lot,
I got easily ruffled at times,
I refused to stop,
and here I am now,
striving to attaining Your blessings and forgiveness.

Ya Allah,
How can I be steadfast in Your way
if I don't give my best in Da'wah,
of course to myself first and then the Ummah.

Ya Allah,
Whenever people utter the word, Heaven,
I feel motivated,
and once the word 'Hell' comes in,
I get scared, I can't control my anxiety,
my heart is pounding relentlessly,
I don't know whether I am on the list,
of those who are chosen to live in that felicitious abode,
or accursed residence.

Ya Allah,
I know You hear my prayer,
in this such predicament,
I don't know where to go,
but to turn back to You in repentance,
asking for Your mercy,
so that tomorrow when I wake up,
I can stand up strong,
and ready to continue living in this universe....

"Allahuma maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa 'afinee, warzuqnee, warfa'nee." [At-Tirmidhi]

O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me & elevate me.

- Nabil Farabi Shaker,
12:43AM, Kuala Lumpur

'Eid-ul-Adha!

2011-11-06T07:43:00.003+08:00

(Photo credit : warkahseharuminta.blogspot.com)

'Eid Mubarak!

Kullu 'Am wa Antum Bikhayr!

Current Distress

2011-10-25T12:38:00.006+08:00

I miss Qatar

Assalamu'alaykum,

Since I have started to take core subjects this semester, my life now turns out to be a bit more challenging than before. The fact that I am facing inevitable burdening and overloading works that I have to deal with as part of my assessment for my carry marks this semester. Only Allah knows how I have been struggling this semester to cope with these indispensable tasks and what makes it more thrilling is when I am assigned to be in female-dominated groups while being particularly appointed as the leader.

With these critical synchronous events, therefore, I will not be available to jot down and spill out my opinions, thoughts and ideas on this blog in regards of the current controversial issues as frequent as I used to do before. By Allah, I am in dire need for your prayers. Please, pray for me to be steadfast in His way as the situation now is pretty much engulfing with something that may either lead to His blessings or wrath.

"Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja'altahu sahla, wa 'anta taj-alul hazna idha shi'ta sahla

'O Allah! Nothing is easy except what You have made easy. If You wish, You can make the difficult easy".

Personality Transformation

2011-09-24T01:34:00.009+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum.

It was really enlivening that time when I disgorged out my opinion vehemently over the issue that was being discussed in class. The discussion went on well at first moderated by Madam Izni and slowly it started to spark a blazing fire after students shared out their unheard and critical opinions that contradict to one another. As much as the numbers of extroverted students jumped in, they were also quite a few of introverted students who did not really participate in the altercation through verbal expression but having their thoughts manifested through their body languages that were highly intriguing. Topic that was acrimoniously debated was regarding the Egyptian Revolution and it impacts on the Muslim world.

That was 4 months ago.

Since I have been back here in IIUM now for almost a month, I noticed quite a few changes have taken place in moulding and shaping up my personality to be a bit different. Previously, I was really undeniably outspoken. It was so obvious that I would participate in all classes regardless of the subject. I just could not bear letting my thoughts and ideas unheard because that might be the reason of the current occurrence turmoils. I would always experience this unusual rapid heartbeat before raising up my hand and throwing out opinion. Believe me, it was really fascinating.

Now, much to my surprise, I happen to be weirdly silent in some of the classes. I just do not know why but it happens every time I enter the class and sit down in the first row while waiting for the lecturer and the moment the class starts, I will choose to keep my mouth closed and listen to what others have to say about any possible issues that will be brought up. Is it just me or this is some sort of effect after a long-journey abroad?. I do know about the power of listening that Babah has been sharing with me all this while and the fact that at times I tend to talk a lot and forget others, but it is not that often.

Take for instance, I have Developmental Psychology class every Monday and Wednesday morning at 8:30 AM in the morning so right after I have performed the Subh prayer I might just want to get a nap for 20 minutes. Having said so, I attended the first 2 weeks of class and Subhan Allah, I did not say nothing much at all except for perhaps 2 to 3 questions that I meticulously asked. My lecturer seemed to be so disappointed of our passive behaviour. She did prompt us to talk and some of my classmates responded but I kept myself muted. The topics that were delivered by the lecturer were all clear to me, Alhamdulillah and I was not blur at all.

Maybe it's been a very long time since I last 'ranted' my views. Insha Allah, as time passes by, I will be gaining the momentum back and share out my opinion a bit more maturely and well-organised.

As for now, I am still struggling to adjust myself back into the society and things that I am up to now; Da'wah, family, friends, researches. Oh Allah, please do not let me get myself duped with false dreams. Amiin.

"Lo! Allah will cause those who believe and do good works to enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will be allowed armlets of gold, and pearls, and their raiment therein will be silk. (23) They are guided unto gentle speech; they are guided unto the path of the Glorious One. (24)"
- Surah Al-Hajj, Ayat 23-24

One Step Closer

2011-09-14T21:21:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

I have registered 5 core subjects:

- Psychological Statistics
- Personality Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Psychology of Learning
- Research Methods

and one optional Islamic subject:

- Islamic Ethics

I know, the moment I added all the subjects 5 months ago, I will be engrossed with piles of assignments, researches, interviews and all the indispensable reading materials that I have to study, comprehend and mull over.

Life has been a little bit galvanic. Especially after I got back in IIUM, I find myself living in 'agitation' as I am really shy and somehow afraid to meet my friends after months I have been away and now they are all chasing me. The first day I got back in, I met my Palestinian friends and they were so elated to see my face and the day after I met my Kashmiri friends and that is how it goes until now and I am pretty sure in the upcoming few days there will be some more ambuscades (ambushes) and sessions of interrogation as everyone is curious to know more about my experiences back in Morocco.

This situation at times happens to be gladdening, at times not. Well, I guess it depends on your self-disposition whether you are ready or not to face the society. Right after I landed in Malaysia, I have been fettering with this feeling of commotion meaning to say, I feel not more than mildly uncomfortable to see the society because of the anticipations the people have and I know it is just me, as always, take things sometimes too seriously. May Allah make everything easy for me to go through. Amin

I do make friends with people coming from different countries, having distinct thoughts, spilling out unheard opinions and it all brings to a heterogeneous cross-talk and this just makes my life even more happier. Subhan Allah. I missed them so much.

Apart from that, I am trying my best to speak English back as often as I did before. Arabic is now my topmost favourite language and English goes second. How does it happen? Learn Arabic and you shall know.

May Allah bless all of you my beloved readers insha Allah. Pray to Him, He listens, believe me, He does.

Back to Malaysia

2011-09-04T10:59:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, I am finally back to my beloved country, Malaysia. Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahuakbar. It felt really amazing last night to be with the family back and immersed in their warm hospitality that I'd ever be served with throughout my journey in this world. I departed from Doha International Airport Qatar at around 8:20 am which was scheduled at 8:05 am and there were some problems that forced the crew members to delay it. A bit funny to see how people argued on the airplane just because of the seats. Some wanted to sit with their family members while the others loved to sit by the window regardless of whether it has been booked or not.

My eyes were enchanted with the magnificent and charming views that were presented on our way back to Malaysia. Clean and transparent massive seas of the Gulf countries, formidable gigantic mountains of Oman, and sterile deserts of Yemen.

Alhamdulillah. Insha Allah I shall upload the pictures very soon. That's it for now. Time to spend quality time with family. Allah yubarrik fikum.

Light of Guidance

2011-09-02T03:08:00.005+08:00

"Lo! This is a Reminder. Let him who will, then, choose a way unto his Lord."
- Surah Al-Muzzammil, Ayat 19

Assalamu'alaykum,

Today, we were invited to go to an open house at Al-Bayyan, Doha Qatar. It was a Malaysian gathering for 'Eid organised by the Malaysian community living in that residential area. We arrived a bit late after Dzuhr, somewhere around 2pm. There were a lot of guests, Malays, Chinese and Indians and we could see how Malaysians utilizing the hall very well. Sisters sitting at one side and Brothers sitting at another, beautifully separated.

I took a plate of Briyani rice, 2 pieces of Sambal Ayam and pour some curry gravy on top of it. The smells were really nice and all the foods were so delicious. I had like a mountain of rice on my plate. I fed myself up and enjoyed the atmosphere that filled with the unity of different races under one flag. My eyes were glued at the corner of the hall where a Chinese girl was tickling a Malay girl and they guffawed overwhelmingly. I smiled and then I turned around, I saw one fine Malay lady greeted a Punjabi Malaysian sisters that were there to fulfill the invitation. What made me happier was when they shook hands and hugged each other with no problem whatsoever.

I scooped the rices with my fingers and when I was about to stuff it in my mouth, I unintentionally overheard the conversation between Ustaz Salman Ali and Uncle Mansor, Malaysian Engineer in Qatar. Basically, they were talking about a new recent revert, Brother Harry Banks, an African guy who happened to be there as well. Uncle Mansor told us that he met Harry at the side of the road, offering him a ride to everywhere he wanted too and that was when the conversation, began.

He called Brother Harry to introduce himself to all of us and I was really excited and suppressed the feeling. Like seriously, meeting a revert is like meeting an inhabitant of the heaven.

" Hello, how are you?." He came and greeted us.

" I am fine Alhamdulillah." Ustaz Salman entertained him for a few minutes.

I was occupied with the discussion that took place between them while waiting for my turn to have a little bit of Ta'aruf.

After for quite some time, I jumped in.

" You are from Nigeria?." I started.

" Yeah."

" Ok, I am from Malaysia,just got back from Morocco and decided to have this stopover for one month in Qatar."

" Oh, wow, that is amazing."

" Are you working here?. " I was a bit confused.

" No, not yet. I am looking for one. It has been 2 months."

" Are you married?. Haha" I tried to make things don't go mundane.

" Hehe. Next year brother. I already have a fiance. "

" Nice, beautiful. So you have a degree, Master?."

" I have Bachelor in Mathematics and Statistics."

" That is like awesome man!. So, what do you think about Islam?." I waited patiently.

" Man, I really love this religion. It's so beautiful and how they practice the same things that Prophet Jesus (a.s) was preaching towards the people."

" How did you get to know Islam by the way?."

" It was really funny. It's all happened when Uncle Mansor picked me up at the side of the road and sent me back home. He started to share with me about Islam; its history, basic principles and what it is all about. That's how it started. "

" It is the same man with Prophet Jesus." He continued.

" Subhan Allah. How beautiful. By the way, are you planning to pay a visit to our country Malaysia?. It is so nice there and you are much welcomed."

" Oh, yeah sure!. I have been hearing a lot about your country. It is like so great. I plan to go there one day."

The conversation went on and on and I dominated most of it. It was until this one point that I intrigued with this rare question.

" I have to ask you this, what is your stand about the bad that 'comes' and 'from' Israel. Why it should be that way?. Are you against it or what.? He looked at me deeply.

" Alright, brother, frankly speaking, I am against Israel, of all hated reprehensible acts that they have been imposing on the Palestinian people that you can see now on the tv or wherever you wish. Clear enough. I don't want to give a confounding statement which does not represent my stand on them. You see, history has taught us that the people of Israel resisted a lot and they often transgressed towards the heavenly revealed divine scriptures that were descended upon them. They even chopped off the head of their own prophet, Prophet Zakaria 'alayhisalam. That is one of the reasons why, they have no longer received blessings from Allah swt. So, if I were about to say that God has no mercy on them because of the absence of blessings what would they be?. No, what I meant about the absence of blessings is resulted from their contemptuous acts, being arrogant and proud of their own tribes that have led to a severe depredation all over. I am against with things that they are doing in the land of Palestine. They are killing human beings there. I am not only fighting for the rights of my Brothers and Sisters in Islam, but also for the Christians which their rights as human beings are not being served. I have no reason to refuse to have a conversation with them, but if they want respect from me, they have to respect the people of the world first. Am I like using a lot of bombastic words here because you know once I get the chance to have this sort of conversation, it pushes me to like Nabil talk, talk, more and more. "

" Haha, no no no. Don't worry. You are right and I am like so shocked you are only 20."

" Naah man, I am still learning. Nothing great about me."

" How do you spend your free times like your personal pleasures?." I changed the topic.

" Ouh, back in my country I loved hip hop. You know what I am saying here?. I rapped a lot and I asked them to send me down my Cds. You listen to Hip hop?."

" I used to when I was in high school and now I only listen to Islamic songs like Sami Yusuf, Maher Zain, Irfan Makki and stuffs. I find it more meaningful, somehow."

" You see, I want to learn Islam more and do you what does Islam say about music because if it forbids music, I will leave it , once it for all. " This really inspired me.

" There are differences of opinion and you can ask Ustaz Salman. He is more knowledgeable than me and I am pretty sure that he is qualified enough to elucidate to you about this debated issue."

" I have to excuse, 'Asr prayer." I told him. He just reverted so we don't have to force him to do everything. Slowly slow and steady.

" You are going back to Malaysia this Saturday?. Man! I want to talk to you more." He spilled out to me.

" How I wish so brother. Insha Allah we shall meet some day, in Jannah maybe."

The conversation ended and we headed to the Masjid. I felt overjoyed. We met him once again before going back home and he looked a bit disappointed.

Allahuakbar!

'Eid-ul-Fitr 1432 Hijri

2011-08-26T20:01:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Sun rises in the east, a fine dawn emerges, tranquilizing atmosphere pervading both above and below sphere, an extraordinary ebullient apperceived, a soothing Takbir overheard, hence submission begins in a day full of pleasure. A night before a new crescent was discovered, remarks the end of holiest month of Ramadan. With over 1.2 and 1.6 billion followers of Islam around the world, everyone puts on their best, luxurious permissible adornments and beautiful clothes ever for this auspicious day. Kids peregrinating excitedly here and there, mothers busy at the kitchen preparing the Ketupat, Lemang, Nasi Impit and all the scrumptious season meals ever to be served on the table exclusively for this momentous day, fathers start to count their money that have to be divided to their children and guests. Basically, Muslims all over the world rejoice inexpressibly celebrating the victory day of 'Eid al-fitr, after restraining themselves from indulging into lustful activities and thanking Allah for giving the endurance to go through such challenging month.

During this glorified and blessed day, it is highly advisable for Muslims to make Ghusl (take a bath), wear one's best clothes and, for gentlemen, to wear aromatic perfume before going to Salat al-Eid.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: "the prophet (p.b.u.h.) used to wear his best clothes for the Eid prayers and he had clothes that he reserved for the two Eids and Jumuah."

Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a jubbah that he would wear on Eid and on Fridays.”

(Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1765).

1 Syawal, is prescribed as a glorious day in Islamic calendar and it is forbidden to fast on that day as it appears to be a day of appreciation by Allah for all Muslims across the globe for fasting one-month solely for Him. Even Muslims are ought to eat at least dates in accordance to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) before proceeding for the 'Eid prayer.

Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) never proceeded (for the prayer) on the Day of Eid-ul-Fitr unless he had eaten some dates. Anas (radiallahu ‘anhu) also narrated: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to eat odd number of dates.

(Al-Bukhari)

Takbeer commences from the night of Eid's eve until the appointed Imam walks out to lead the prayer.

Allah says: "you should complete the prescribed period and then you should glorify Allah (i.e., say takbeer) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to him." the form of takbeer is related by 'umar and ibn mas`ud: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la illaha illallah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd."

Reuters

Solat-ul-'Eid-al-Fitr is an obligatory prayer before the 'Eid Khutbah offered in the early morning of 1st Syawal after the sun has risen where Muslims gather in the Masjid and pray in congregation. It consists of 2 Raka'ah and the the opening supplication is followed by seven Takbirs in the first raka`ah. Likewise, the Takbir when reaching to the second raka`ah is followed by another five Takbirs. `

It was reported from ‘Aa’ishah: the Takbeer of al-Fitr and al-Adhaa is seven in the first rak’ah and five in the second, apart from the takbeer of rukoo’.

(Reported by Abu Dawood; saheeh by the sum of its isnaads)

After the powerful mummer of Takbirs, one should utter ta`awwuth and basmalah.

This is followed by reciting al-Fatihah, which is a required pillar in every rak`ah of every prayer.

This is followed by reciting Surat Qaaf (50) in the first rak`ah, and Sooratul-Qamar (54) in the second. As it is an optional, one may recite: Suratul-A`laa (87) in the first, and Sooratul-Ghashiyah (88) in the second.

(ArabianEye/Getty)

Alhamdulillah. At last, we are all able to reach this day of glory under Allah's permission. In my country Malaysia, usually Muslims will be going back to their respective villages one or two days before 'Eid and there are situated miles away from the city and in this atomic era, surprisingly people have their village in the middle of the city. Every family member will gather after performing the 'Eid prayer and offer an apology for all the wrongdoings that they have committed throughout the year while shaking hands and it is brought further when meeting friends and relatives. The same thing I strongly believe happening in every country where Muslims are jubilating for 'Eid. Islam urges its followers to instill the spirit of brotherhood, forgiveness and affection and it is during this significant moment that we can see tears of forgiveness and compassion rolling down their cheeks.

This year will be my first time celebrating 'Eid in Qatar, away from my beloved family. I am so excited to experience 'Eid here!.

Apart from that, I, Muhamad Nabil Farabi bin Shaker hereby offer my hands with an abundant of apologies to my Babah and Ummi, my siblings, my teachers and all my acquaintances for my wrongdoings. I am a Muslim, a normal human being who is not impeccable, immaculate and infallible but rather inclined to make mistakes periodically. Hence, it is on my duty again, to ask for your forgiveness for all of my penetrative words, intolerant behaviours and annoying hospitality that I have ever served you with. May Allah bless our soul and escalate it at the highest level. Let's forgive and forget!.

'Eid Mubarak!.
Kullu 'Am Wa Antum Bikhayr!

Cultural Parents - Baba Ali

2011-08-23T19:13:00.002+08:00

"They found something better. They found Islam."

I support you Akhi Ali Ardekani!

Zekreet, Dukhan Qatar

2011-08-23T03:39:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds for granting us the opportunity today to visit what is known here as 'Film City', at Zekreet, Dukhan Qatar. A very non-arable desert located approximately 90 kilometers away from Doha, the progressive capital city of Qatar. Zekreet offers you an awesome and unforgettable journey. It is said that the recent box-office movie 'Transformers' was shot here and the humongous sand dune vicinity that greeted us the moment we rode on the sterile land, explained enough why had people would travel thousands kilometers away just to get themselves here at what seems to be an adventurous old 'abandoned' city and some even film it.

We departed in the afternoon after 'Asr prayer straight away to the mountainous city of Dukhan. Along on our 1-hour journey, we were presented with an immense and spacious sand path scenery spread out at the both side of the highways all the way to the place where we were heading to. Imagine how massive the land is. Subhan Allah. Though it might look a bit dull and mundane, somehow it brought me back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu'alayhiwasallam when he was extending the message across the regions. Of course I did not get the actual picture exactly as it was, except with His permission. Nonetheless, this feeling of poignant seized my heart, digging for its room and agonizing my ignorance all this while. Just think how had Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu'alayhiwasallam endured the pain when he was obtruded to condone the debaucheries and as the result of his resistance while he message was rejected, he was beaten severely, chased out from the city of Ta'if, taunted as madman, sorcerer and a liar. Rocks being pelted onto his head and he remained calm. So, these were some of the events popped in my head when I was looking fixedly at the deserts.

The path was really hilly and you can flip your legs over your head if you happen to fall from the top highland. God forbid. The city or should I say village (?) is surrounded by a very calming and relaxing sea. Roads are full with small and big rocks, making the trip to be even much more challenging. It felt as if you were riding a roller-coaster at the highest speed and when it turned 90 degree, you would have your adrenaline pumped up so fast. We climbed up to the peak and toured the valleys. We did not tour that much but it was really exhilarating when we got the chance to witness the sunset. Allah is Great. We really enjoyed running around the mountain overlooking the charming sea and a really hilarious event took place. It was so funny that I laughed gleefully for almost 5 minutes unstoppably. I cannot share with you what had happened as it is not appropriate thing to do, but wallahi, I never watched such funny incident before that I'd guffawed like a naive young man hee-hawing out loud. I am a human being, I made mistakes and perfectly imperfect. I pray for Allah's graceful mercy and help me to help myself rectifying my weaknesses.

Special thanks to Brother Salman Ali, Brother Abdullah and Sister Rahmah Said Ali. Allah yubarrik fikum.

SUBHAN ALLAH.

Haroon Jahan; Victim of 'Racial Crisis'

2011-08-22T14:15:00.015+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

This is a very short post I advocate and dedicate to my Brother in faith, Tariq Jahan whose son -Haroon Jahan- was killed during the massive outburst in Birmingham a couple weeks ago. It was truly a heart-breaking moment for him, witnessing his son was chased by a car drove by peace-hater and unable to save him which was deliberately hit. While coping with the loss of his son in hit-and-run incident, he, Tariq Jahan has stood up, strongly as it can be clearly seen, for a better cause, resulting from the vicious murder of his son. In spite of the claptrap unintelligent accusations of the politicians that have divided the society, Tariq Jahan gallantly stood up for justice and rights for every human being in this world.

Click here for the news.

“Blacks, Asians, whites – we all live in the same community. Why do we have to kill one another. Why are we doing this?” - Tariq Jahan, a dismayed father.

I have to add in this really heart-shattering video. I was crying so hard, silently.

Uncle Tariq, I pity you for what had happened to your son and I grieve for his demise. You have my empathy, my grievance and my prayer.

My condolences to you and your family. May Allah place your son in Jannah, a promised land for those who believe and make you strong to go through over this probably the most arduous stage of your life.

Ar-Rayyan, Doha,
Qatar.

Somalia In Despondency

2011-08-16T22:25:00.010+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

The ferocious drought that has engulfed all over Somalia at the moment has resulted refugee crisis as the most severe humanitarian emergency in the world. Its malnourishment put a snatch on the most crucial values of life of the innocent unfed children who were left abandoned at the side of the road having nothing to eat as their parents made their way to the refugee camp located at Dabaab. Their extreme hunger is obvious where we can see the skeletons protruding conspicuously resulted from the malnutrition.

Infertile desert, absence of nutrition and denied aids really chain the parents in agony. The inadequacy of these basic necessities to continue struggling in this world pushes the fathers and mothers to be on a journey to the refugee camp that is situated thousands kilometers away from their homes. After decades of war, small, lifeless bodies lie can be found on the streets of Somalia, left by their parents on the way to the camp and sadly it appears to be the only option to survive. It is really devastating to see how parents have to grudgingly make such decision on their children, picking up who is in and who is out.

What can we do today is to dig in our pocket and assist donate for the poor Somalis quenching their miseries and ephemeral deplorable depredation of human civilization that is taking place. People are craving for foods, waters, and everything that you need to survive. Imagine, they do not even have the energy to carry foods or even drink the water. Their shaky hands cannot even hold right the bread that they have or to swallow in the water.

World Food Programme has opened a cause in their website to enlighten you on how to help Somalia. You can go donate online. Do not hesitate to pass around your hat and make a lifesaving donation today.

Please go to this website : https://www.wfp.org/donate/hoa_banners/

Let us lend some helping hands for them, our Brothers and Sisters in faith and humanity.

Pictures : http://www.eitb.com/photos/en/news/world/detail/703625/severe-drought-somalia-ethiopia-kenya/

5 Questions To Ask On 15th Ramadhan

2011-08-15T22:37:00.004+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

So, half of Ramadan is gone already. Subhan Allah, how time really flies. Like just how we are so elated to celebrate Ramadan with all traditional clothes ready to wear for Taraweeh and when it comes, before we know it is gone. Yes, that is how it will be from time to time like greased lightning, without you realizing it. To cut short, 15 days are gone, or for some countries are still yet to reach 15, what have you done throughout the weeks?. Have you really benefited from this holiest month of Ramadan which Allah has been showering His merciful blessing upon it thousands years ago up until now or you were busy, engrossing yourselves with futile personal pleasures?.

Sit back, catch the remote control, switch off the television, put your laptop into hibernation mode -oh, how are you going to read this then?, ok get back the laptop- and relax for a while. This will not require you to get up, take a bath, wear perfumes, comb your hair, iron your overpriced shirts, no, just sit down on that comfy couch and have some thoughts.

Ask these questions to yourselves -oh, in case your are so jaded or exhausted having fasting for hours, just command your brain to catch these simple questions and interpret it all for you.

- How many pages of Al-Qur'an have I read? Or at least gone through. Did I ever hold the Qur'an this month?.
- How many times have I woke up for Suhoor before Subh Prayer and stayed after praying, doing some beneficial things rather than getting myself in the bed and wake up at twelve.? Did I manage to even go to the Masjid?.
- How often have I been lowering my gaze when I saw something tempting and it caught my attention? Or all I did was, staring without a single blink?.
- What about my mouth?. Have I caused trouble to others because of my penetrative uneasy words? What have I moistening my mouth with?. Wait, have I said Subhan Allah today?.
- Have I respected my parents deservedly that when they asked me to take up the garbage out and I did wholeheartedly or I just disobeyed?.

Ask yourselves and find the answers within you. Don't worry, we still have 15 days to go before 'Eid, remember, do not wait until it ends, get up and do it now!. Islam; it is not hard, it is way of life.

Visit to Al-Jazeera English

2011-08-11T20:37:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Masha Allah! I am overexcited right now. This unstoppable irrepressible feeling of gleefulness has been waking my nerves all day long. Even I could not get a good sleep last night, imagining how would my visit to Al-Jazeera be. Well, the fact that I just got back from Al-Jazeera English Language headquarter in Doha, Qatar and I could not afford myself but to extoll the credibility and bizarre ability that Al-Jazeera possesses.

The straining hot sunlight greeted us at the front gate of Al-Jazeera's compound in Qatar. A normal weather that you should never feel obnoxious of but to adapt with it, cleverly. The place is highly secured with the policemen standing at the entrance gates safeguarding the place from any unfavorable events and the strict rules of admittance applied. In order for you to enter Al-Jazeera's compound, you need to have first the gate-pass and it is issued by one specific person who is holding one prestigious position that is permissible and capable of issuing doing so. If you are thinking that you can enter just like that without any paper work or at least purpose, you can just say goodbye because the cops would never let you in.

We arrived early and the taxi driver dropped us at the main entrance gate. I groped my pocket, reaching for my mobile phone and dialed Aunty Noraini's number, (my friend's relative) and she told me that our gate-pass has not been issued yet and as mentioned, we were prevented from entering the compound and cordially invited to have a seat with the policemen at their given designated room. Subhan Allah, they were really kindhearted and hospitable in the sense that they never under-appreciated us but to celebrate our coming to Qatar even though their hands were busy jotting down all those level one priority guests information entering and leaving the respected compound. They were Qatari, Yemeni and Sudanese and all of them were really friendly and unselfish. So, we talked about a lot of things while waiting our gate-pass to be issued and it drove we all the way from the police-post to the Musolla. We performed our Zuhr prayer with the policemen and I got a phone call right after I finished my prayer. It was Aunty Noraini and she told me that I could collect the gate-pass. At that very moment, my adrenaline pumped up rapidly as I could not longer wait to see Al-Jazeera crews.

She fetched us up at the Human Resource building after getting the gate-pass and drove us off to the Al-Jazeera English Channel Headquarter. While I was making my way through all the bulwarks, I tilted my head up and I saw Al-Jazeera's logo. It slacken my pace a bit but I managed to tame the ebullient. Hence, by the permission of the One Lord, we managed to enter the place and it knocked me off my feet when I saw spacious, glamorous and entrancing building with the prestigious logo Al-Jazeera nestling in front of me. I was stunned and captivated. We were told that we were not allowed to take any pictures inside.

- Right after we passed that door, we were not allowed to use mobile phone or camera-

Aunt Noraini brought us promenade around the studio; the powerful controlled sophisticated videos' rooms, well-designed offices, prestigious studios went on live broadcasting in front of us, the gallery room and the magnificent aesthetic lobbies. She explained to us that Al-Jazeera does not sell or buy news but they provide transparent, reliable and valid news, free from any lop-sided element, concordant to the facts. This was when my respect for Al-Jazeera grew taller and bigger. Al-Jazeera does not hire reporters, journalist as easy as that, they only take in the well-experienced and expert ones who are able to perform well at any given time to be part of the team. Not only that, the appointed ones must also have the unflagging strong determinant to endure the unexpected challenges and difficulties. They used to send only 2 people from Al-Jazeera to make a news coverage at the hazardous hills of Indonesia without any single problem hurled. Professionalism, that is all it takes. So, the basic things you need to have in your CV is that lines of experiences working with at least CNN or BBC and only then your CV will be reviewed or at least being put on the desk.

After for half an hour touring inside the building we went back home by taxi. We thanked aunty Noraini for granting us this definitely once in a lifetime's experience and surely it has benefited me in so many ways. I personally, had a wonderful inexpressible experience visit to Al-Jazeera.

I was really impressed, amazed and captivated witnessing all Al-Jazeera's live events took place, first hand. Alhamdulillah.

Well, I watched this live just now. (=

London Unrest

2011-08-10T06:04:00.011+08:00

Source - Al-Jazeera

Assalamu'alaykum,

" Please pray for London. There are riots all over the city. Madness multiplied!"

A puzzling status showed up on my news feed that was posted by Sarah Joseph, CEO and Editor of Muslim lifestyle magazine emel and commentator on British Muslims. She is a writer and a broadcaster, often delivers lectures on Islam both within the UK and international (USA, Europe, Middle and Far East).

Amidst the acrimonious revolution spreading in Middle East, London all of a sudden jumps into the rival. Question after question started to be the source of nuisance in my mind and I was so dead curious to know what was actually happening in London and why now.

As I wrapped my head around the issue while sipping Cappucino coffee at Columbus Cafe, Doha, I managed to get the glimpse of the core reason that has situated London in such detrimental anarchy; there was a shot on the black resident of North London which triggered riots and racial rampage taking place on the streets of London. The citizens demanded for justice and there was no answer hence they went berserk, uncontrollably .

2 hours 15 min ago - UK Riots

Reuters report: Youths have set fire to a retail store, smashed other shop fronts and fought police in the centre of Manchester, northwest England, police said on Tuesday, as rioting that has gripped London in recent days continued to spread across the country.

"I can confirm a shop is on fire and 200 youths that gathered in the city centre have been chased by riot police and dispersed. Seven arrests have been made so far," a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said.

The spokesman also said a building in near-by Salford, Greater Manchester, had also been set on fire by groups of youths - Al-Jazeera

As I delve deeper, I can conclude quite easily as for now that this riot is not all about the injustice of the police officer who committed a distasteful genocide against the black man solely, but it is also about the youth expressing their angers after the contempt that has been undermining them while some mobsters trying to show their power by taking advantage out of the resentment of the people to proudly take over the city and looting all over causing unrest.

A blazing fires set up on the streets burning down the buildings, houses and cars, shops being robbed and people are randomly assaulted. The road are scattered with rocks, broken bricks, atrocious red smears and the words calling for 'revolution' being written on the walls, citizens running frantically while some criminals unashamedly beat the people for money. The riot is going out of control and all the authority can do is only standing there, barricading the streets waiting for any attacks.

Source - Al Jazeera

Is this really about the injustice of the authority?. Well, you should have a room of doubt.

From what I have been informed, they said that the immigrants are causing the trouble with their face veiled and randomly attack anyone who is walking on the streets.

London, the capital city of England is known for their unwavering ferocious stand against terrorism and surprisingly the country has failed to see the problem within them that indirectly propagates brutality and urges violence. On July 20, London announced that they would provide assistance to help the Nigerian government with combating the threat of terrorism.

I feel sorry for the people in London and other cities who are facing the ongoing disastrous riots. I defy the act of terrorism that the youth in England have done. There is no justifiable reason to back this diabolical act, causing others to lose their life.

Source - Al Jazeera

To brothers and sisters who have been committed crimes in London and elsewhere, whether you are immigrants or not in any country respectively, your act is definitely despicable and you will pay the price sooner or later.

For the youth in England who share the same smouldering young spirit as I am, remember that you do not get justice by burning down houses or smashing cars, nor breaking the windows or hitting people. Believe me you are only precipitating this world to be in chaos and banishing away the justice, the word you have screamed your lung out for. Of course you should demand for justice when the authority insults your rights and destroys your values but why should you commit all those violence which exacerbated the depredation that we are facing now. Don't you have a second of wisdom that this could destroy your country and ruin your future?. Remember, what goes around comes around.

"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)."
- Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 155

Muslims in England, stay calm and do not panic. Do not easily lose your faith and keep on strengthening your Iman towards Allah firmly in this holiest month of Ramadhan. Allah is testing your perseverance, commitment and fidelity towards Him. Be strong and do not leave the Holy Qur'an behind. Read and understand the message that Allah SWT is telling you because there is an insight for all the difficulties. Make sure you have yourselves and people around you safe.

In the book of 40 Hadith compiled by Imam An-Nawawi, Hadith number 19;

On the authority of Abdullah bin Abbas, who said : One day I was behind the prophet and he said to me: "Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice] : Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried."

p narrated by Termithi, who said it is true and fine hadith

This is not merely an unrest, but it is a gateway into a whole new dimension of society that craves for individuals' rights and we have to seek more knowledge as to illuminate Islam into this world with the communities that really challenge one's mind.

Oh yes, do not forget to pray for my Malaysian friend who was assaulted and robbed randomly on the street of Barking, London when he was on his way to get some food for Iftar -breakfasting-. May Allah fortify and absolve him from any distress. To the scumbags, SHAME ON YOU!.

Sources:

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/201189161741876869.html - Al Jazeera
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/cameron-deploys-10000-more-police-to-stop-london-riots/2011/08/09/gIQAqz2B4I_story.html - The Washingtonpost
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/07/20/London-backs-Nigerian-fight-against-terror/UPI-71211311172704/ -
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/inpictures/2011/08/201188233856953939.html - Al Jazeera

On That Friday Morning...

2011-08-09T04:12:00.010+08:00

Salamu'alaykum,

Subhan Allah. What a fine day I had today. A very relaxing and calming moment in my life in an exuberant country, Qatar amidst of the adventurous paves I have traded on, it brought me all the way up to a peace of mind. 3 days ago we departed from Casablanca, Morocco to Doha, Qatar and stopped by at Tunisia.

That day when I was all prepared and walked out of the house in Bouhlal Rabat, all the memories I had in Morocco popped up in my mind in a split second, arranging themselves standing side by side, sculpting every single of it strong and intact in all the neuron veins I possessed.

Every frame of my life in Morocco checked in rapidly; The heart-shattering moment when I was assaulted by a bandit at Oujda and how I was being so clamorous-though I was not aimed at actually- inside the restaurant while watching final football match between Moroccan and Algeria with my Moroccan friends, taunted at as Amitabh Bachan or Amir Khan or the most popular one, Pakistani whenever I walked down the streets, exciting feelings gouged in when I ambled around wonderful gardens encircling the city, chatting with camels, visiting museums at Marakkesh, looking over stuffs at the very best reasonable prices around old historical cities in Fez, experiencing typical villagers life for 2 nights at Tetouan and how I forced myself to swallow everything in and stunned on my feet seeing all those beauteous and gorgeous views ever emerged in front of me, lived in modern city of Rabat for nearly 1 month, witnessed woman almost got her handbag snatched by a young boy at Casablanca, breathed the fresh air at the most soothing city ever in Kenitra... Everything seemed to impede me from going further, out of the house.

Everyone was busy helping out each other carrying the bags with smileys engraved all over the faces and I felt very at peace on that Friday morning. Even if there was a ticking bomb or a blazing fire in front of us, no one could not careless. 17 students all of us, few Malaysian students are going back for good and I could see how they hid their sadness feeling or the lamentation to leave the place that they had struggled to adapt with and achieved a scroll of a degree, or the uneasy feeling being repressed so hard to let go their best companions leaving them all alone, I analyzed discreetly. They are strong, by the name of Allah, I was so amazed. Imagine how they have been parted from their family just to get a certificate to gateway into a field where you can generate money to sustain your life and to keep your generation ongoing and it was not for one month or one year, it was for 3 years, some had more but they did not fret nor grumble. I stepped aside and gave them way to say a farewell. They shook hands and hugged. I noticed how tight were their hugs, and I just smiled. How beautiful. We went straight away to the airport at Casablanca after a very valuable and sentimental moment in life.

We 3 IIUM students flew to Qatar while others transited at Turkey before getting themselves back to the missed homeland, Malaysia.

Now I am in Qatar. A nice luxurious country. The richest in the world. It really defines that when I walked over the immigration units and required to present my credit card though the fact I'd never have one and that day I made one for the record and what was the purpose? For registration before entering the country. Why? I have no idea. Ustaz Salman Ali picked we up at the airport and we were so astounded to see how sophisticated, advanced, modernized and flourishing Qatar is. Their level are far much up than us and the living cost here is shedding down your teeth. Qataris are all rich and they are very few in numbers and most of the people here are immigrants and official workers coming from outside countries.

Yes, they have immigrants more than their respected ostentatious rich citizens. The projects offered here are abundant and they are developing here. But Dubai is very much at the front page compared to Qatar that seems to be quite dull and mundane. I bet after this Qatar will take the lead.

It has been 4 days and I enjoy being here. Alhamdulillah. Praise be to Allah for giving me such opportunity. Insha Allah, I shall share the photo soon. Till we meet again. Salam.

Book 005, Number 2248:

Abu Huraira reported that the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: Seven are (the persons) whom Allah would give protection with His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but that of Him (i. e. on the Day of Judgment, and they are):
(123567 skipped)
....
4. two persons who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah;
....
Sahih Muslim, The Book of Zakat

Ramadhan Strikes Back!

2011-08-02T11:42:00.002+08:00

Get your intention straight,

walk with no shame ahead,

lower your gaze Brothers you ain't no afraid,

wear your Hijab Sisters proper and right,

people sign up for short one you have this long contract,

carry and read the Qur'an wherever you at,

beat your Nafs like you pat the rat,

guard your modesty and never let it abject,

sleep well tight and get up at night,

this month is when you should slavishly collect,

oh Brothers and Sisters, you know how to act,

let the rewards be higher than your hat,

and lastly, you know what,

Allah loves you no matter where you at.

Ramadhan Kareem,
- Nabil Farabi, City of Fez, Morocco.

Akhlal Tetouan, Morocco

2011-07-28T16:14:00.013+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Last week we paid a visit to Wahab- one of our schoolmates at Ma'ahad Bu'us Islami Oujda-'s house at suburban area of Wadoulal, Tetouan, 240 kilometers away from the capital city, Rabat and 50 kilometers close to Spain. Tetouan is located at the northern part of Morocco and situated far away from the busy streets.

Wahab fetched we up at the bus station and we went straight up to his village. The journey took 2 hours from Tetouan to his village and when we arrived it was already night and we could barely see the lands that we stepped on and the gigantic prodigious mountains entrenching the small minority settlement. To be honest, I was a bit frighten with the unusual darkness and the spooky barks of the wolfs. I grabbed his hand and hold tight on it, same goes to the others. We were like climbing all over his body. Just when I thought I'd managed to conciliate my physiological and psychological responses to the new environment I was at, I got scared back when we heard the excruciating clattering sounds. We thought that there were some creatures attempting to attack us and humorously it was only a flock of cows, enjoying their night. I screamed my lung out. Astaghfirullah. (:

The next morning I woke up to pray Subh, When I was about to reach the tap to perform the ablution, I turned my head around involuntarily and it resulted me in bizarre amazement. I was captivated with the views and vicinities. My eyes-lid refuse to decrease and my heart wrenched powerfully. It was really beautiful, charming, magnificent, awe-inspiring and I could never able to express it in words. I performed my Subh Prayer and then we off for a tour around his awesome village!.

Have a look on the pictures below, and before you open wide your mouth, do not forget to say, Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahuakbar!.

P/s: We found oases!. Subhan Allah!!!!.

* Cantik kan? Subhan Allah, Emak sangat suka pemandangan sebegini dan beliau sentiasa berazam untuk hadir ke sini. Insha Allah, satu hari nanti Emak. Bahasa Arab? Alhamdulillah, Nabil dah banyak improve.

An Enlightening Day

2011-07-23T00:23:00.010+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

I am not going to write a lengthy post this time around. Just a quick update.

I went to Casablanca Airport just now with Adli to say goodbye to our friends;Aiman,Asri, Arif and Syafiq who are flying back to Malaysia. They just finished their first year of study here and they are going to spend 4 months 0f holiday in Malaysia before getting back here.

After all the hugs and kisses, we went back to Rabat and stopped by at the transit station to pray Jama' Qasar and Alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allah, I met a Moroccan Australian Muslim guy in the Musolla. He greeted me at first and I was not really paying attention because he did not give Salam up until he said that he is an Australian. I turned around with shocking face and said, '' You are from Australia? Masha Allah."

I know, some of you my blessed readers might have this question lingering inside your mind, thinking why was I so astounded to know that he came from Australia. For your information, ever since I stepped here in Morocco, I have not used English in any conversation at all. People here speak Arabic, French and Spanish and there are undeniably some of them who speak English, but very little in number. Thus, when he uttered English words, I was a bit surprised and whispered in my heart " It's time to sharpen your English skill back Nabil."

Back to the topic, I went on shooting the breeze with him after quite a tiring journey while Adli performed the Jama' Qasar prayer.

He was born in Casablanca and settled in Australia in 1974. His wife is an Australian and she was a Jewish before she got married with Uncle Sa'id. This was when the conversation went deeper. She was a good and fine Jewish lady as what I was told by Uncle Sa'id. She has done a lot of charities and always argued with her family because of all the bad things that were being done by some of her family members. When she received guidance from Allah swt to embrace Islam, her father gave here choice; Islam or 20 Billion Australian Dollars. Indeed, Allah is the Most Exalted, she refused to take the money and chose Islam as her way of life. After she made that thorough decision, she was ignored and abandoned by her family. When she tried to make a phone call, her father hung up and she was like no longer part of the family, yet her husband advised her to keep in touch with them through emails. Alhamdulillah, her mother at last, after for a while managed to accept the fact that her daughter is no longer Jewish but a Muslim lady, and the same goes to the rest of the family members except for her father. Now she wears the Hijab and never take if off ever since and her father got married with another woman. I awed and kept on moistening my mouth with Zikrullah.

We discussed some other significant issues like all the corruptions that are weakening the country, Morocco and he advised me to educate my children well and nurture them with Islamic teachings. Instill Islam in them and be the best Muslim.

" I went to Malaysia, and I liked it there. It was a very fine and relaxed country. "

" When you get the Qan'ah, this world is nothing to you."

Allahuakbar!.

Culture Clash

2011-07-14T08:14:00.019+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

It is 01:15 o'clock in the morning here and I just cannot close my eyes and fall to sleep. My stomach keeps on punching my intestines and refuses to let me settle down. Astaghfirullah, I have faced this diarrhea ever since I landed here in Morocco and to be honest I am yet to find the reasons behind this ailment that I have been enduring all this while. Only Allah knows how I bore the pain when it strut and I literally crawled to go to the toilet.

The environment out there is very much at peace right now like any other cities in Morocco except for the two cities I have been to; Marrakech and Casablanca that were really alive with the blasting stereos pervading all over, causing some people either to enjoy from its amusement or suffer from explosive nuisance. There is no big extravagant luxurious amenity whatsoever you have to expect here in this blessed and deteriorating country in the sense that they do not really have all the 24-hours stalls or restaurants which Malaysian people always love to spend their nights at and almost all shops are closed here when the clock-needle reaches 12. They really make use of the days and get a good sleep at nights.

Propitious

Apart from how Morocco has been striving to catch up with the modernity that is growing taller with its people craving for a proper education and remedy of their extreme poverty pain, I have always wanted to share with you how the Arabs here are being helpful, friendly and coarse at the same time. It does not fade not even a part of it that I still remember clearly when I was in Morocco on the very first day, Brother Ikram who fetched us at the airport told us that;

"Orang Arab dekat sini baik dan peramah."

and right after he said that we witnessed a few conversations between Ikram and the Arabs took place. All of them replied the Salaam (Islamic greeting) with joyful face. They were indeed propitious with timeless smile engraved on their face and the willingness to assist us finding our way 'home', well to Rabat actually was admirable. This one uncle we encountered parked his car at the side of the road and came to us to explain the direction and he even led us to the exit before finding the customers for his Petit Taxi. Henceforth, my first impression was that Arabs are indeed having a soft heart and a bit harsh at character was invigorated. Not that I am overgeneralizing but harshness is one of the built-in character in every Arab and how do they deal with it is a different thing. Not one Malaysian house that we visited but to have advices kept in our memory about all the crucial facts that we have to know on how to work it out with Moroccans.

The Ma'ahad students have also favoured me in so many things. Everyday they brought us promenading (walk) around the city of Oujda, visiting the Masajeed, Suqs(markets), food-stalls, beaches, gardens, internet cafe, finding medicines at pharmacy and taught us Arabic and everyday we went out with different students. They did not grumble, not even once but they unstoppably offered their helps at any time. I learnt that when they say they are going to help, they really mean it until there is some compelling situation where they really cannot get out of it, they would seriously apologize and suggest another solution. One night they knocked on our door and handed us the blankets at the end of the spring season because of the coldness that we could hardly bear despite the fact that we had all the blankets stuffed inside the cupboard.

In this Ma'ahad everything is for free and you just have to go out to the markets to find some raw materials for your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Believe me, they cooked everything for us. Subhan Allah, they would never let us feel discomfort and did not mind to spend their money to feed us up though we did not ask for it. I admire that.

Forceful Behaviour

On the 8th of May, 2011 we arrived at Ma'ahad Bu'us Al-Islami, a place that we had given our all out to go and to get the 'Ilm (knowledge) like peeling the onions one by one and my convenient feeling towards Arab shockingly stopped here. This was when I really experienced to live with Arabs and got to see their cultures first hand. It is so funny when I recall back how I got myself at the boiling point when they forced me to eat their foods even though I rejected it politely and they insisted and pulled my hand, and it was not like a normal gentle pulling like how Malaysians do it, this is a real one like how they do it in tug of war, well it is almost like that. By Allah, I felt so terrified on how forceful they were and began to be defensive by pointing out my disagreement towards their intolerant behaviours after days they have been treating me the same and there was no signal of change or at least I can say an improvement. Silent was my first choice at first, thinking that I have just to deal with it but not until they physically put their hands on my head and pushed it while having my neck in their arm dragging me all the way from Masjid straight away to the dining room. I know it sounds a bit scary but they are really rough and it was not a problem at all actually except for the head. I am Malaysian and to play with Malay heads is not a wise thing for you to do except your really want to have a scuffle with us.

When I tried to find the significances behind their dreadful weird ways of firming the fraternity, I learnt that they were being really generous. Subhan Allah. I wondered back what would make them to push me to eat with them while they could have it all for them. They just wanted me to enjoy the meal together and it would not be a problem if I could not bear the taste, just sit with them. I laid against the wall inside my room and sighed.

"I should not have argued with them. I just have to understand their culture and deal with it. Ya Allah, help me to survive."

Winning Argument

One of the inevitable situations being in Arab country is to have a debate with them regardless of time and place. Arabs generally are really good at debating with people and they would come out with any kind of evidences that they find it suitable to make their argument more powerful. I had faced it uncountably and to be honest most of the time I would never give the trophy to them if it was not my fault. I encountered a lot of unofficial debating contests with the Arabs here and it was amazing actually to debate with them though I hardly understood what they were saying and how I arduously used the Arabic language to defeat them. I was not doing it for fun but it really irritated me when they did not want to admit their mistake no matter how obvious it was. I went beserk once with one of the Ma'ahad students. He came and accused me of being arrogant. He said that I refused to have a conversation with him and I did not know how to deal with people. Subhan Allah, that was the first word came out of my mouth before I clenched my fist and began to talk. I explained to him that I was a new student and needed times to learn the language steadily and I would be ashamed if I could not communicate with him and that would make he feel even more offended. He went all with his long-listed points in his head and I decided to succumb and went back to my room to avoid from Shaytan controlling myself and he surprisingly tailed me. I turned around and said

" Sofi ya Akhi. Limaza tatahaddas mislu hakaza. Laisa jayyid. Ana la astatik an atakallam ma'ak lianani ta'ban wa urid an anam. Tisbah 'ala kheir"
"Enough my brother. Why are you talking this way. It's not good and I am not capable to talk to you now as I am so tired and I want to sleep. Good night."

Allah swt really wanted to test my perseverance during that time when he stood up at the door room and kept on nagging. I jumped from my bed grabbed his hand and said;

" Yalla, turid an tatakallam ma'i sohih? Yalla!."

" You really want to talk with me right? Let's go!."

and he replied " la', la', la', ana amzah faqod. Zi', zi'." After for almost 5 minutes he was rambling on how I have been so haughty he said that he was only kidding. I knew that I should talk to them more often but I was new and after all he said that he was only joking. Masha Allah. I chuckled before I went off to sleep.

High-temper and Forgiving

This is one of the most wonderful admirable characters of Arab people. They get easily mad like a roaring tiger chasing after the giraffe for his dinner and forgiving like there is nothing happened between them. There was this one night when everyone was having their dinner and chatting each other, cracking jokes, discussing the Islamic jurisprudence issues and suddenly we heard someone shouted in a very high pitch of sound and holding a knife in his hand. I was petrified and was about to jump in to calm his down but I knew that was not really a wise thing to do. The students asked him to settle down and he screamed even louder. He ended up threw a chair to the wall and washed his hand. It was a serious matter I guess and when tomorrow emerged, they were talking and playing with each other like they did not go through a fight the night before. I learnt that they do not keep things inside, they forgive and forget.

These are some of the Arab behaviours I can share with all of you. Of course it is not applied to all but it is just my experience so that it may help you to understand other cultures and getting yourself one inch away from ethnocentrism. Arabs they are unique and creative.

"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. "
- This sermon was delivered by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca).

عامل الناس كما تحب أن يعا ملوك

2011-07-10T16:10:00.020+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

"Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day and remembers Allâh much." - Surah Al-Ahzab, Ayat 21

Alhamdulillah, praise be to Lord for all of His uncountable blessings being endowed upon us.

In life, we always hate it when people treat us impolitely-hurls of profanities, unacceptable whims and contemptuous hospitality-. It really annoys us when they spoil our day and what aggravates even more when people are getting on our nerves and they feel nothing is wrong with it while expecting us to reciprocate back with respect and well mannered.

We feel like pummeling unremitting punches in his face, slam it onto the wall, picking up high-heels and nail him with that.

The first real issue that I would like to share with you all my highly respected readers is, if we could count, how many of us when we walked on the street and encountered a layman who happened to stood next to us begging for money we responded back with love or retorted with anger. Usually, we tend to have cold feet looking at the 'intimidating' layman and we sneered to him and even worst some intensely threw bad words before leaving the place.

Moving on, when we were sitting with our friends, sometimes we forgot to control our mouth and tend to be so passionate that we embarrassed our friends intentionally as to crack some silly jokes and we expected our friend to be just fine with it. The tantrum we threw could not get any more annoying when we started to expose out our friends' secrets that if it was known, it would give a huge embarrassment to them and everything is messed up.

Stop. Ponder upon this for a while; If the layman was you and you were the one who begged for the money as to feed yourself up after days you have been starving to death, would you want yourself to be treated like that or all you want was only a spoon of rice or at least drops of water as to quench your ferocious thirst? and if it was you who was sitting there with your friends, receiving humiliations after humiliations just to arouse people's emotion, would you be fine with it?. Of course you do not want to be treated like that and yet you feel not more than just fine imposing such behaviours on others?.

There is no other method to get ourselves absolved from this periodical predicaments or difficulties but to do as you would be done by. An idiom that delineates the cyclical difficulties that people have been facing for centuries, giving us a chance to pause and reflect. We have to realize that we are not living in this world alone. There are people who also breath the same air and live on the same land. Who also rejoice and bereave, relieve and depress. Thus, in order for us to establish peace and harmony in this world, we have to first and foremost, respect each other in the same way we want them to respect us. The act of respect here is not confined only to one subject such as race, but also faith, culture, ideologies and whatnot.

If you are a Muslim, then you have to respect others who possess different faith be it Christian, Buddhist or Hindus and they have to do the same in return. At times, people got confused between respecting the religion and committing shirk or associating Allah -God forbid-. Respect here means to let him or her to be at liberty of choosing whichever religion he or she wants to believe in. They have the rights to believe or not to believe and we just cannot simply obtrude upon others and retaliate if they refuse. That is just not Islamic at all.

It is this forgotten tenet that has caused severe depredation on human civilization that we can see through history how people had been shedding blood and escalating their pride higher than what they deserved. Just how we do not want others to treat us like that, we too have to respect them, parallel to our wish.

" They treat us like fools, and you expect us to let them be?. Dude, you are an absurd living creature!."

If people treat you in a very ruthless manner, you think back quickly; "if I were about to treat him back disrespectfully, what would make me different than him after all?." If people give you prickles, you give them flowers, even though they might crush it, but the aromatic smell will stay there, if God's permit, it will soften the heart of the holder.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: "The Prophet never used bad language neither a 'Fahish nor a Mutafahish. He used to say 'The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.'
(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 759)"

Be like the flower that gives fragrance even to the hand that crushes it
--Saidina Ali (a.s)

Fatma Waterfall Marrakech

2011-07-03T00:27:00.010+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

The weather here is extremely hot. It is sweltering hot and windy that I'd to pour lotion on my hands before it burns me out. I just got back from Setti Fatma Waterfall, Marrakech. A place you would not want to miss if you happen to visit Marrakech in Morocco. Fatma waterfall nestled beautifully at the countryside under 1 hour's drive south east of busy city of Marrakech. Rising to approximately 1,200-1,500 metres and encircled by formidable mountains, this is an excellent area for gentle hiking and offers a pretty emollient from the summer heat of the city.

The landscape is very profuse and delightful with the local village houses built from bricks made from the local rich red soils.

Surrounded by the zeniths of the eye-captivating High Atlas, Setti Fatma, a village which is notable with visitors is a relatively quiet typical Berber village and worth an amble around if time permits. It has seven medium sized waterfalls; however, as what I have read at times in the year these are inaccessible.

We had a pleasure excursion with 9 of us, Malaysian students. The fact that it was really an exciting journey where we had no idea where is the waterfall located at after the van driver dropped us at the riverside and Alhamdulillah, we followed the trails paved by the local folks and everything went well.

The water was extremely cold and my body was totally benumbed with the piercing frostiness and the water temperature was I guess below zero. I could not even feel my hand for 10 seconds after laying back against the boulders beneath the waterfall and I was shivering so badly. All the eyes were on me and Zaid handed me his towel after seeing me freezing with my pores opened, searching for the heat.

I was really astounded by the magnificent power of Allah. His astuteness is really incomparable. I got myself dumbfounded thinking how could the water be so cold while the weather was ferociously hot and burning. ALLAHUAKBAR!.

Sambal Ayam Morocco

2011-06-23T06:51:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Life is just too short and time that we spend for being afraid of trying something legally new can never be regained. Alhamdulillah my first attempt to cook Sambal Ayam-Malay cuisine- went all well and spicy. I never thought that I could actually fry the chopped chicken meats quite impressively and manage to prepare for the gravy. The best thing is, it was done in Morocco, a thousand miles away from Malaysia. Subhan Allah. Allah is indeed the Best Planner.

Throw Your Hat In The Ring

2011-06-16T10:45:00.010+08:00

Credit to Amir Fes, Morocco

Assalamu'alaykum,

Kayfahalukum?, mi ziyan?.

Throughout my life, I have always been advised by my Babah to never ever give up in everything I do. Never let anything halt me from getting all my dreams to be successfully achieved. He exhorts me timelessly that failure does not mean that you are a total loser, it is just like a stopover- a stopping place after a long journey of hard working, finally it allows you to pause and ponder what were the crucial elements that you have forgotten and left behind while you were so elated paving your ways towards victory.

Everyone, on their journey towards having a firm faith, has definitely experienced a downfall, where you feel everything seems to be lackadaisically ruined after so much efforts put forth, a massive snowball hits your flaming firewood. Just when you are about to reach the zenith, your faith is challenged and not even one part of your belief is left untested. Deep inside, you know right after the storm passes, you will be personally upgraded.

I am in Morocco now, a thousand miles away from my homeland, Malaysia, and I am experiencing that downfall once in a while. It's like a pre-determined distress; you cannot hide from it, you just have to face it with strong faith in Allah swt. Our major mistake committed nowadays is that we tend to scapegoat others over the difficulties that we are facing. People can put blame on others but they forget to learn. Allah swt is not going to let you suffer the tribulations, but indeed, He is always there and dearer to you than any of your amenities.

Credit to Amir Fes, Morocco

When I first arrived in Morocco, I was really impressed of the natural beauties which Morocco is blessed for. I could see the colourful blossoming flowers, shady date trees, white gravels 'placed' nicely at the side of the roads, formidable mountains stand side by side, unexplainable charming sunrise and sunset and the magnificent large farms having the sheep grazing at its pastures. Subhan Allah, all the Zikrullah came out from my mouth ceaselessly as that was the first time I witnessed all the eye-captivating views by my own eyes.

I was sent to Oujda together with Luqman and Firdaus and we stayed in the guest-room for almost 2 weeks, until then myself was truly challenged. I scratched my head thinking how would I survive after seeing not really nice toilets and the absence of my staple food, rice. For the first few days, I really struggled to adapt with the new environment and atmosphere I was living in. Believe me, it took me forever to get used with the toilets. Yes, rice. I am so yearning for it till now. It is super duper hard to find rice here, and completely different as we have it in Malaysia. I was really missing the rice that it appeared in my dream 2-3 times and I was really stressed out. Alhamdulillah, after for about 2 weeks, I managed to adapt slowly. I sat and had a deep thinking- What is my objective coming here?; to learn Arabic. Instead of being pessimistic I moved forward and looked on the things I could do to relieve the distress. One of it is to appreciate everything that Allah has given to me and utilize it as best as I could. I read Al-Qur'an a lot and it recharged my Iman. I have learnt that not everything in this world is as easy as eating pie. I cried a lot in my prayers and now I realized that Allah has educated me to be more matured and well-prepared for the upcoming challenges.

We humans are like a wayfarer who walks in this world. Thousands of roads diverged in front of you- take your pick, every road has its convenient streets as well as perilous ravines. If you wish only to select the convenient ones which have no danger at all, you can just make a u-turn, get back to sleep and continue dreaming. Perhaps you should ponder for a while, who'd the guts to pour tar into those road cracks rather to think that the convenient roads exist by itself.

A Crime Against Humanity

2011-06-07T17:10:00.013+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

When I woke up this past morning, I checked my handphone and I was suprised to see a new text message came in and it was sent by my old friend, Syed Ahmad Syafiq Al-Jamalullail. I quickly read the message out indistinctively and he was saying how he is so sorry for not replying my messages last 3 days as his handphone was having some troubles and he is so happy to see my dream being brought into existence, a dream that we both shared when we were in the same school, sitting next to each other, talking about travelling around the world. Alhamdulillah.

As I thought that message would have enough amounts to bring cheer into my day, I got myself interjected with melancholy, a feeling that is easily dragged into myself, as soon as I read a very devastating news and pretty much emblazoning Muslim world in general and Arabs world in particular. A headline that you wish you would never read or glanced at but Allah knows best.

Hamza Al-Khateeb, 13-year old teenager, was literally mutilated and tortured to death by the Syrian security forces under the supervision of soon toppled despotic government, Bashar al-Assad. He was an innocent kind-hearted brave Muslim boy who lived like everyone else and wanted to bring this world at peace yet his dream was condenmed and he was held in the custody of Syrian security forces for almost a month which they claimed for retaining felicity in Syria.

The boy was attracted with the atmosphere that filled with disgruntlement of the indignation that have taken place for nearly 30 years and for once, their voice were heard. Hamza was not really inclined for the outrage of the Syrian people as he was too naive for that, but decided to just join the demonstration and walked calmly with his friends. That decision has caused a severe injuries to his body and distasteful feelings towards his family and people across the nations.

''Hamza's eyes were swollen and black and there were identical bullet wounds where he had apparently been shot through both arms, the bullets tearing a hole in his sides and lodging in his belly.'' - Al-Jazeera

Where have the values of humanity gone to that they boldly once did that diabolic violent torture onto a body of a young kid who supposed to have a long journey to face in the future undertakings and it was all halted by the insanity of the brutal security forces. The security forces has the right to protect the country parallel to the oath they pledged but that does not mean you can easily grab anyone on the street bring them into the prison and torture them to death. What could this young kid palpable to do to topple down your vulnerable government that you were so petrified and cut his private part for the sake of securing the country?, please we Muslims are better than this some insane acts.

I am not here to support or against the revolution that is creeping all over Syria, for I do not want to be categorized into any specific group as throughout my exprience as soon as they manage to do that, a bomb of defamation will be on my tail and ruin my decent intention.

I would never be silent for the despostism dictated upon human beings, be it Muslims, Christians, Buddhist or Hindus I definitely against this and will always try my besy to get them out of the misery and usually Do'a is an affective way after a practical encouragement. I am well aware of the differences of opinion amongst the respected Ulama' about the validity for Muslims to walk on the street expressing their resentment towards the injustice but please, no one shall ever commit that abominable crime on anybody.

I might be a bit outdated about this issue, but by Allah, I am so sad to see this kind of extreme tyranny exists in Muslim countries. I pray to Allah to give Syrian a freedom in accordance of Islamic code of life and let the Muslim Ummah rise once again.

"For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth."
-Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 32

- Sheikh Nabil Farabi Shaker Al-Syariff, Oujda, Morocco

Everything Begins With Tarbiyyah

2011-06-01T13:13:00.004+08:00

This video was shared by my friend Syed Muhajjir Al-Haddad on Facebook and I got attracted to it timelessly.

I feel abashed with Prophet Muhammad Sallahu'alayhi wasallam and his companions. I have breathed in this mortal world for about 20years and I don't know whether I really spend most of my ample time to prolong the words of Allah or after all I am just good at speech. What efforts have I put forth to call people for Islam, to sit with them and dissect piece by piece painstakingly the core reasons of the social problems that are creeping all over in Muslim world causing my Brothers and Sisters in Islam to be infatuated with the evanescent wealth and ephemeral ebullient.

Tarbiyyah has been interpreted by so many scholars and they have come out with so many versions and I know how people are somehow engrossed themselves to eavesdrop or finding others' mistakes and attack them with some severe censures. Shaykh Al-albani's advice found its place in my tiny little heart. I love all Muslim scholars and do appreciate differences of opinion and my heart is attracted with the Tarbiyyah not created by but shared by Imam Hassan Al-Banna and Shaykh Salih al-Munajjid. Al-Fahmu said As-Syahid Hassan Al-Banna.

Go my Brothers and Sisters in Islam, spread out the message of Islam. Wallahi, you shall experience the excitement of changing yourselves and at the same time improving others to be such devout Muslim. Even Allah says in the Qur'an that He wants to buy from us and add some more gifts if we can help Him even though He does not need any as His the most Powerful to dignify Muslim Ummah.

Make a volition before you ever think of ignoring this video.

Allah, please help me calming my weak heart.

A Blessed City Oujda Morocco

2011-05-15T02:04:00.002+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum

I wish I could update each and every single activity of my life here in awesome and gorgeous Morocco, unfortunately it seems quite difficult as I have to go out of the Maahad and fine the available cyber cafe just to use the internet plus the fact that how I am so confused and dazed to master the new unusual arrangement of the keyboard buttons here. Nevertheless insha Allah I would not let my objective disturbed and be in the state of nebulous and I know my Brothers and Sisters in Islam will continuously pray for our safety here under the shield of Allah.

We came a bit late actually and the Maahad will close for 4 months and move to a new place nearby after June so maybe we will move to Rabat before visiting Spain and going back to our lovely hometown Malaysia.

Babah wrote a comment on one of my photos in Morocco and it reads:

"When you are in a new environment with different culture our mind see things differently. New feeling and different languages, encourage us to discover what previously is not known. We see a new horizon starts to develop and our mind will grow, isn't that what we call a mental growth. Babah"

Subhan Allah I really miss Babah. Out of all the things I am yearning for, his wisdom , astuteness and his great discernment of Islam exceeds all.

I replied :

''Indeed you are right Babah no doubt about that. Ever since I arrived here in City of Oujda I was in the state of desultory thinking of how would I communicate with the people here speaking a language that I haven't mastered at all but truly Allah is the Best Helper and He even till now and forever keeps showing me the way ceaselessly.I perceive things differently and yes it expands my mind and provides more space for me to think rationally. Babah, I miss you.''

Rindu Malaysia

Morocco 2011

2011-05-07T22:20:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, what else I could say after gone through so many challenges and finally my dream is now being brought into existence and reality with the permission of Allah. All praise be to Him, Lord of the Worlds, to whom we submit ourselves wholeheartedly.

Now, as I am writing this post, my body is freezing.

Everything was going smooth, from my very first departure at KLIA to Doha, Qatar and then straight to Casablanca, Morocco. It took 17hours to get ourselves here and nothing else could contribute such dizziness and sluggishness headache but the long hours we had to endure with from Kuala Lumpur to Casablanca. Babah keeps on reminding me to take care of myself and never be neglectful of my surroundings. Truly, parents' advices are invaluable and priceless. I have my passport and other significantly important documents for my journey here placed inside my mini small reticule hanged between the shoulder and the waist. Not to exaggerate, but once you become a traveller and get out from your comfort zone, only then you will act and think logically and rationally without prioritizing undesired self-gratification. Indeed, we are ally wayfarers in this transitory world.

After 7 hours of journey, we landed fist at Doha, Qatar for transit to Casablanca, Morocco which led us to have another 7 hours of flight before we disembarked at the airport. Malaysian students fetched us up at the airport and brought us to of one of the Morocco's central of attraction places for tourist, i.e Masjid Hassan Sani (II). Subhan Allah, the sculptures are really amazing and eye-captivating. The dainty Masjid nestled besides the sea is literally big and has one gigantic lofty minaret structured in between of the Masjid which also attracts the people.

Transit at Doha, Qatar

Ambling around the streets and then Akhi Aslam and Ikram drove us to the Malaysia students' house at Bouhlal, Rabat Morocco. Indeed, they are really propitious and friendly enough. Our arrival was celebrated with a plate of Nasi Goreng Bujang and coffee.

The sea besides Masjid Hassan II

Insha Allah after this we will be heading to Fes city and then straight away to Oujda, Morocco. Pray for us. Allahu musta'an.

Do You Really Fear Allah?

2011-04-30T17:32:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Often you claim yourselves as being obedient to Allah and fear Him so much. Now, are you sure that you really fear Allah swt the Most High and the Exalted One?

Try to watch this video and listen to his recitation attentively while at the same time ponder upon the meanings profoundly:

Once you are done with it, try to observe yourselves whether you heart throb or not and if your eyes are watered or the tears are already trickling down.

Then, you shall know whether you really fear Allah or not.

"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -"
Surah Al-Anfal, Ayat 2

Few Inches Away

2011-04-29T23:35:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

There have been no posts being published for the last one week and thus I want to offer an apology first to myself and to my blessed readers (insha Allah) for turning this page to be a vacuous nest. I was so engrossed with the preparation for my Arabic studies in Morocco and just now bought a plenty of new suitable clothes according to the new weathers I will be living with that is ranged between May to September. May Allah forgive me for my negligence.

As to share, throughout our struggle, so many obstacles lined up in our way act as if to obstruct us and only Allah knows how we were almost left dispirited. All praise be to Him, for His merciful grace that we were able to knock it all down and got everything under control.

The progress, I would say, 90% as for now. I pray to Allah that the only obstruction that should come out now is the feeling of emptiness and discontentment of the soul. This is what the most overlooked tenet and people feel, awkwardly so easy without having to know that your faith is getting weaker and downsizing the space of the faith for the piety to establish inside, letting the entertainment dominating big part of it. Babah always reminds me since I was only a toddler up until now that ;

" If you do not have an intact Taqwa (piety, obedience, G0d-fearing) and sound Aqidah (creed), then you should not enter university and head overseas, but I and Emak have nurtured you very well, and I believe, Insha Allah you and all of your sisters and brother are prepared for the upcoming stages in your life. There are things that merely seen as an espousal to you all, but they encompass deep meanings."

A phrase that keeps on whizzing around my mind whenever I faced difficulties and inclined to act according to emotion not logic. Alhamdulillah, it helped a lot. Now, it is already 24th of April and I have 6 more days before my first departure to country miles away from mine. As you reading this line, do not forget to spare some time and pray for our safety and security. I believe Allah is the best Protector and I plea to Him to not ever let us enamoured with our vainglorious ideas that lead to nowhere.

Allahu musta'an.

زَوَّدَكَ اللَّهُ التَّقْوَى وَغَفَرَ لَكَ ذَنْبَكَ وَيَسَّرَ لَكَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كُنْتَ

"May Allah make piety part of your journey, forgive your sins and fulfil the purpose of the journey".

(Tirmidhi)

*By the way, this blog is welcomed to both my Brothers and Sisters in Islam as well as in humanity.

Oujda, Morocco 2011

2011-04-22T20:21:00.010+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Ever since I was born into this world, people could easily see how I was so audacious to 'travel' around the world. I crawled here and there, hid inside cupboard, ran frantically. Soon after I have reached another stage in my life where I could barely walk, I turned out to be so active, as expected. I climbed up the closet, jumped onto the bed ferociously, wrestled with my brother, exploring the world outside and just could not stop travelling even if there was a coercive power attempted to obtrude upon me, it would not work, I presume.

The process of growth accentuated, pretty much intensifying where I went from one level to another, be it academical or religiousity. Alhamdulillah, I have parents who are really taking care of everything about me, every single dot is noticed and not even one is left ignored. Passion in travelling got heighten up when I flicked through pages of books contain amazing nature pictures across the border. From Malaysia my own country to Makkah, New Zealand and so many other places. In spite of my smouldering spirit in journalism burned like the hot water boils inside the kettle, the sense of uplifting Islam to its highest level thrived as well as travelling which had aggrandized my vision and mission .

Day by day, I saw pictures of people travel happily with their excitableness sensation obviously seen and it made me apparently, smile.

" Insha Allah, one day I will bring my family to go to the holy place, Makkah al-Mukarramah and we are going to perform the Hajj together, passionately. " I whispered, in solitary.

Verily, Allah is the Most Powerful God, and He indeed has set up the best plan for His servants to be consistent with or else, the enemies will definitely take them away from the light. Soon after my exams ended, I was inspired to join a group of my friends' trip to the land of the Prophets as to learn the Arabic language, which known for its complex grammatical structure yet denotes beautiful indescribable words in any other languages. So, I got into the team and worked unwaveringly with them. Masha Allah, I was having a bit room of doubtfulness where I was hesitant on my own self whether I could make it or not with big amount of money needed. I prayed to Allah to guide me, and continued to work no matter what.

" This is it. This is what I wanted to do when I was only teenager and people laughed at me. I want to learn this language, master it and be proud of it. I could finally read the Qur'an and understand the meaning of what my Lord is speaking to me without reading the translation and who knows, Allah's will, I will be able to visit Makkah and proceed with the unperformed optional final pillar of Islam. "

The plan was kind of fluctuating where we changed the destination over and over again. The condition in Middle East now is, sadly to say vulnerable. Revolution sparks all of a sudden and safety is inherently important. After going through several discussions with the members and my parents, we finally changed the destination to, Morocco. Alhamdulillah.

The living cost over there is approximately 6,000 Ringgit Malaysia which equals to 15,581.39 Moroccan Dirham for 4 months. The flight ticket, 2ways is going to cause you 3,800 Ringgit Malaysia and education in Morocco is as what I have been informed, totally free. Masha Allah. How could I neglect this?

Akhi Shahrul, one of my good friends planned for us and contacted our Malaysian friends in Morocco. They suggested us to go to Oujda, Morocco, located near to the frontier between Morocco and Algeria as well as Spain. Oujda is a coastal area where it is notable as the 8th largest city in Morocco. It has 4seasons and now it is sunny over there.

Depicting the snows in Oujda

Insha Allah, we are planning to depart from Malaysia to Morocco at somewhere around May. Tomorrow it will be finalized and after that, everything is settled. All praise be to Allah.

*Might be visiting Spain and France, Insha Allah.

Niqab: A Choice

2011-04-17T14:50:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

The act of putting a piece of cloth on the face, covering the fluffy smooth skin has given tremendous impact upon the societies across the region. Opinions, views and perspectives as viewed fall in a dichotomy; Left wing or Right wing. In spite of analysing people's ideologies and putting them into a specific group so that it will be easier to identify and attack, abruptly, it seems that it does not go that way and definitely has gone beyond as what expected. Majority of the Muslims demand the exact definition of freedom of religion in its pristine form which can be seen as purely deteriorating. The issue now goes back to its main core disputed topic: Human Rights.

Human Rights as declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, quoted Article 1-3 (visit here):

Article 1

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any /other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

This article is directly and without evasion explaining the rights and freedom of individuals to abide by any faiths or beliefs as well as to practice it as desired. There should not be any sort of discrimination or oppression that shall be imposed on the individuals whenever he or she decides to practice it. Albeit, the topic here is not about the long-listed articles of human rights made by United Nation even though France agrees to stand for, but it is about the recent proscription made by the most liberal and secular -though it is diminishing- French government last year on September 2010 and officially enforced last 3 days.

Violation of Human Rights

Straightforwardly, French government has violated the Human Rights whether on the basis of United Nation's declaration or French principles itself. What kind of freedom do women have when they are prohibited to wear a religious garment as they believe as a mark of piety? People are sanely aware over the existence of secularism that is inextricably tied with French government but it is stated here once again, that this is not merely a religious propaganda but also a right that humans are entitled with.

Guy Canivet, the first president of the Court of Cassation, the highest French court in judiciary said that:

"Freedom is the rule, and its restriction is the exception; any restriction of Freedom must be provided for by Law and must follow the principles of necessity and proportionality."

The aforementioned quotation symbolizes the French laws for restriction of freedom must be provided by Law and follows the principles of necessity and proportionality. When a Muslim woman, walking down the street, covering her face and guide her modesty would not it be counted as a necessity compared to those who expose parts of their body which leads to sexual arousal hence increases the statistic of crime rate ?. People do not have to go so far away to conduct a research on the rampant despicable crimes that are creeping all over the world now but to look in their own particular country themselves. It is no longer safe for a woman to amble around the city but to be stared at lustfully triggered by their reproachable dress. Why would not you make a reservation for these not only Muslims but also other women who have a brain to mull over the natural consequences of the deplorable dresses that might just appear all of a sudden by replacing that with the most decent and moderate cloth.

Modern Paradox

What most of us would hear whenever the media broadcast a debate live in television, the ones who opposed the wearing of Niqab would argue that it is not the issue of protecting one's thrones but it is the issue of exclusion from the society. There are thousands of if not less Muslim women holding a degree and master pursuing after their ambitions with their face covered. This is not a baseless argument but with empirical evidence and vividly seen in the universities from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt up to the International Islamic University Malaysia where we have hundreds of Muslim women face veiled and verbally articulate their point of view out loud, so vehemently. They are with the society, they conduct a study group and so much praiseworthy works that nearly impossible to be jotted down here. Not only students, but also as social workers where they are working so elegantly in the world-class office with expensive laptop switched on and briefcase placed by their side while at the same time organising the meeting with face fully covered and not even an inch of their body is exposed but respected accordingly. Those women even earn thousands of money. These arguments also being brought forth by the feminist group and vocally condemns Niqab.

Apart from that, the Niqab also is perceived as excruciating and intimidating. Some said that they feel not more than mildly discommoded having unknown people looking at them with nil identification. To clarify here, having your sisters wearing the face-veil is not telling you to not approach them and get along with. Of course, it is inappropriate for men to get close with women for no relevant reasons but strongly urged for sisters to build up the spirit of sisterhood. To know them, you have to deal with their brain not by the appearance.

Sister Hebah Ahmed as for instance, is a Mechanical Engineer and has been writing numerous inspirational and eye-opener articles about Islam and worldly issues in her website accessible anywhere. If the ones say that this is not a religious issue, why now you are associating the dissaperance of women as you said with the submission towards the One Magnificent Entity?.

This is obviously modern backward paradox.

It is not on my responsibility to conclude the issue over here blindly, but to prompt this discussion to be held everywhere so that people will actually understand and have some profound contemplation on what does it really mean of being a successful and respected woman.

"If she wants diversity and Islamic belief, then she has to accept my version just like she wants me to accept hers."

- Sister Hebbah Ahmed, CNN.

Respect Now!.

*Do leave your comment.

A Successful Muslim; A Successful Human Being

2011-04-12T23:21:00.012+08:00

Assalamu’alaykum,

Every existing creature exists for a purpose with fixed time. Once the time reaches its end, the creatures shall be taken back to their only One Creator, Allah. Within the given predetermined time, opportunities are granted as to fulfill the purpose for which the objective of the creation is thus harmonized. Trees exist for a purpose, fishes down the sea stay alive for a purpose, clouds floating by on the air for a purpose and so do human beings stand in this world for a purpose i.e. to worship Allah alone.

"I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me."
-Surah Ad-Dzariyaat, Ayat 56

One after another, challenges befall upon us human beings in our pursuit to receive the abundant blessings of Allah. Every one of us has been given one specific spectacular unique capabilities which others do not possess and at the youth stage of life, those facilities are what when it is contributed at its uppermost level. Being the youth is not something easy. If the smouldering spirit streaming inside the blood capillaries is not directed to the way it is supposed to, then disaster will be the outcome.

“Those who wish to predict a nation's future can do so accurately by analyzing the education and upbringing being given to its young people.”
- Fethullah Gulen

Living in this universe as a youth really wakes our nerves all day long. Everything is black and white and we will put up unwavering efforts to establish the truth and justice. But, of these ambitious dreams are perhaps so subjective that it keeps on giving a fiasco instead of satisfaction. We conduct programmes after programmes; a visit to the orphanage, distributing pamphlets explaining about Islam, creating blogs and talk about charities and its significance, demanding justice to be upheld and the heart is still feeling as hard as the rock scattered all over at the road edge. What could have gone wrong and what are exactly the actual qualities of being a prudent and successful youth?

God-Consciousness

A true Muslim is the one who submits him/herself towards Allah, the Almighty. Islam is widely known built upon the 5 noble pillars; one of it is to establish prayer 5 times a day. Regardless of the time and place, Muslims are obliged to perform the prayers the way that Prophet Muhammad (saw) had taught to us. If one is happened to fall sick or to be misshapen and disabled then he or she is allowed to pray the way that he or she is capable of doing so, as again explained in the Prophetic tradition. None of the act of worship shall go against the principles and thoughts which Islam has come with. This is one essential quality of being a good Muslim, because if there is no intact and strong bond with Allah, be it charity works or humanitarian activities, those acts are with the absent blessings of Allah. Why would you pay your lawn mower when he cuts off others' lawns?

Maybe, the biggest challenge when at the stage of adolescent and youth is to refrain ourselves from falling into unlimited desires. To see our destiny is to observe our characteristics. Shaytan of course will not stop whispering you to be far away from Allah through a very delicate way where one would not be aware of it. Shaytan will incite you to wear immoderately and spend your money wastefully for personal pleasures though you might see it as something worth it after dying working for the money. We eat until we feel overwhelmed not when we feel enough, we buy clothes not accordingly but lavishly, we insult others instead of advising them and the list goes on.

“And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.”
-Surah Al-Fussilat, Ayat 5

Be Truthful and Honest

When your friends lie to you what would you feel? Angry? How about when the question is now directed to your friends and what do you think your friends would feel when you lie to them? The same answer is given. Now, who do you rely on in this world? None other but Allah, the Most Trustworthy. Why? Because Allah has never gone against something which He has promised and He will stick to His promises no matter what. So we feel really good and comfortable to have Allah to rely on as we know that He would not lie to us. This applies the same towards our formation of being a successful Muslim. When we are given trusts, do not be disloyal to it and do not be such a back-biter and have so many faces. This only will harden your heart.

Abu Musa reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying:
"The honest Muslim trustee who spends (sometimes he said" who gives" ) what he is commanded to do and he gives that in full with his heart overflowing with cheerfulness and he gives it to one to whom he is ordered, he is one of the givers of charity."
(Sahih Muslim)

Chastity/Self-Purification

Have you ever heard a story of one companion of the Prophet Muhammad by the name Abdullah Ibn Makhtoum? There was a time when Prophet Muhammad was giving full attention to the prominent group of the Quraish Chiefs, hoping that they may embrace Islam. Abdullah Ibn Makhtoum came and approached the Prophet and asked him to teach and explain the words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad frowned and turned away from him which after the Qurash Chiefs left, his head pulsates and throbs so violently and thus Surah ‘Abasa was revealed.

It is illustrated in Surah ‘Abasa from the very beginning up until the end about lessons that we can learn and closed with the situation for the believers and disbelievers soon in the eternal journey. After Prophet Muhammad was exhorted by Allah, whenever he had talks or discussions, if he saw Abdullah, he would call him to sit next to him. Abdullah, a blind man managed to extend his Da’wah towards so many people. Despite the facts the he could not see at all, he even plead to hold the flag during the war of Badr. What had made this slave of Allah who was disable to have such enthusiasm?

"And how can you know that he might become pure (from sins)?"
-Surah 'Abasa, Ayat 3

Indeed, he had a purified heart in his efforts of learning the words of Allah. To reflect this verse upon us, try to re-examine ourselves whenever the Adhan is being made, did we immediately answer or feel irritated? And when somebody talk about Islam, did we entertain him nicely or we give him an obnoxious look?.

Cleanse the souls from our own evil acts and the adverse consequences of our deeds. Flick through the Qur’an and recite it wholeheartedly. Do not just recite but also ponder upon the verses of Allah so that we may learn.

Keep Promises

Words are like so easy to say but most of the time hardly to be done. Often we hear people say like “I promise that I am going to pay your money back very soon” or maybe “Trust me, I swear! To give your books back tonight” and so many more. So much so, many promises we made when we are only in troubles especially when we cause something bad to our friends but at the end of the day, it turns out to be merely a deception. Watch out, if you practice this, you might just fall into the track of the hypocrites.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said,
"The signs of a hypocrite are three: (1) whenever he speaks, he tells a lie, (2) whenever he is entrusted, he proves to be dishonest, (3) whenever he promises, he breaks his promise.
(Sahih Bukhari)

Repay Kindness

We at times, tend to be extremely shy as our friends lending us some helping hands. If we were about to count back how many people have we leaned on to get ourselves out of the misery would it be countable? If it is countable and still fresh inside our mind, reflect for a while, how many of them have we repay their kindnesses? People keep on grumbling over the absent of rewards after they have helped others and it seems to be irrelevant. Islam teaches us to be fully sincere and expect no rewards. In Islam it is called Ithar which psychologically known as Altruism explains a selfless act which we prioritize others before our own amenities.

'A'isha , the wife of Allah's Apostle , reported that Allah's Messenger said:
'A'isha, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness).
[Sahih Muslim - Book 032: Hadith 6273]

Conclusion

These are the 5 basic qualities to be a good human being as well as a good Muslim. Force ourselves to develop these characteristic in ourselves as to present our respect towards the wisest human being, Last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and emulate him for the sake of betterment of this Ummah. We are of course can never be perfect, but we can learn from those who reflect.

"When I enquired of you what he (Muhammad) ordered you, you replied that he ordered you to establish the prayer, to speak the truth, to be chaste, to keep promises, and to pay back trusts." Then Heraclius added, "These are really the qualities of a prophet."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

- Sheikh Nabil Farabi Shaker Al-Syariff

A Call You Ignored

2011-04-04T20:34:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

A short reminder I want to share here with all of you, Brothers and Sisters in Islam.

Umar ibn al-Khattab (RAA) reported that a man asked the Prophet (SAW): "Messenger of Allah, what action is dearest to Allah Most High?" The Prophet (SAW) replied: "Prayer at its proper time. The one who does not pray has no religion. Prayer is the main pillar of the religion (of Islam)." [Baihaqi]

Day to day, we tend to have some extra 5 minutes of rest when the Adhan is overheard as we lean against the comfortable couch. We are inclined to settle our matters first though we know that it is time to pray. Often also, occurring in our daily life where our days are filled with so many charity and praiseworthy activities; helping the poor, cleaning up the dusts, assisting our mother in the kitchen, running Halaqah, serving the nation, studying the books and so much more. Nevertheless, these actions are no dearer to Allah than to perform prayer at its proper time.

In one Hadith, narrated by one of the greatest companions, Umar Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him ) was sitting around with the companions, he was approached by the Archangel Jibril and asked 3 questions to clarify; Islam, Iman and Ihsan. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) upon answering the first question, he says;

'Islam is that you witness that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and you establish the prayer, and you give the Zakat, and you fast Ramadan, and you perform the hajj of the House if you are able to take a way to it.'

The establishment of the prayer sits just next to the testimonial of faith in the 5 noble pillars of Islam that shows how important it is to perform the prayers. It is like when we want to drive a car we have to press the gas pedal after starting the engine, or else the car is not going to move not even an inch at all. So when we say our Shadah, we also need to establish the prayer in accordance of Islamic teaching so that we will be on His track safely heading to the paradise or else we are not going to be admitted into the Jannah and our identity as Muslims will be tarnished and meaningless. As far as Islam is concern, a Muslim is a Muslim when he or she executes the 5 daily prayers as it is the quintessential ordainment by Allah before anything else.

"...indeed prayers are a time bound obligatory duty upon the Muslims."
- Surah An-Nisa', Ayat 103

If we do not train ourselves from now, then our future life will be disastrous. Teach ourselves to ignore all worldly pleasures that we are relishing with at the time of prayer. Put our mobile phone on silent, hibernate our computer or put it on sleep, switch off the television and ask maybe our brothers and father to go to the Masjid together and perform the prayer with the congregation. When we walk to the Masjid, each step counts and those steps will perish our sins and elevate our rank in the hereafter.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who purifies (performs Wudu') himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).''
[Muslim]

Allah is the most Merciful and He will give to us what we deserved. Allah has right on us and we to have our rights. Surprise? Yes, because Allah would never throw you down to the severe cursed hell -May Allah forbid- once you obey Him and that is your right and Allah always keeps His promises.

Try your best, because Islam is not torturing but rather nurturing you.

A Mesmerizing Night With Shaykh Riad Ouarzazi

2011-03-29T08:47:00.008+08:00

Salamu'alaykum,

"Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right (or stable), and giveth the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward; "
- Surah Al-Israa', Ayat 9

Brothers and Sisters in Islam and in humanity, how are you guys doing? and how is life at your side?. Hopefully everything will be just fine, insha Allah.

As it has been told in my previous post that we are now IIUM students and I think most of the students from other universities as well, tied up with inevitable final exams. The library is crowded with lots of students carrying the books and almost all tables are occupied each and every single day.

Apart from that, I was really fortunate yesterday to have the opportunity to be with Shaykh Riad Ouarzazi who is currently touring around Kuala Lumpur for his Da'wah here. Brother Amar Razali, the person in charge of bringing Shaykh Riad here, offered me a ride to the programme with the Shaykh and I felt really aghast and overjoyed. May Allah have mercy on your soul, Akhi Amar,Amiin. I asked Brother Shahrul to join us and he unhesitatingly agreed. We had our dinner together and Shaykh Riad is actually a good food-taster and he just loves to taste different types of cuisine.

Throughout our journey with him, he shared with us a lot of precious, worth one's weight in gold knowledge and we were certainly overwhelmed. He talked about how to gain 1 million hasanah by just moistening our mouth with Zikrullah -remembrance of Allah-, acceptable Ibadah, his hobbies and lots of stuffs. If one were about to ask my point of view about him, I would say without any weigh of tendentious and biased feelings that he is one type of Shaykh that the youth have been looking for. He is an easy-going person who does not really mind to discuss about the common issues that are fettering the youth with manners plus with his character that is so hilarious and at the same time heart-trembler. He also has qualification in Psychology and works as a life-coach, as what my Babah also does, hence he can easily manipulate the event wisely and turn it to be fascinating. Not to exaggerate, but insha Allah, he might just touch a lot of hearts throughout his journey here, by Allah's will. Note that I am not degrading other scholars, but everyone is unique in their own way and we just need to appreciate the distinctness.

I will end my commentary (?) with the 5 questions asked by Shaykh Riad last night during the 'Message to the Youth' programme.

What is your purpose of being created in this world?
Who are your friends ?
Are you really proud of your religion?
Are you obedience or unkind to your parents which is one of the gates to Jannah?
Are you happy?, and if it is so, how did you find your happiness?

These are the questions he asked us to reflect upon once we got back home. Subhan Allah.

By the way, Shaykh Riad Ouarzazi is having his very first tour in Malaysia, specifically Kuala Lumpur city under Al-Maghrib institute which already established one month ago if I am not mistaken. He is also invited to deliver the Khutbah (Firday Sermon) in our university here, IIUM Gombak this Friday. Do spare some free time to attend his lectures and be totally mesmerized, insha Allah.

I have 3 papers this week and your prayers are highly appreciated in the eyes of Allah because once you pray for your Brothers and Sisters in Islam, you are also praying for yourself.

Barakallahufikum!

* Upcoming programmes

TUESDAY, MARCH 29 2011

Jalsah Ilmiyyah Quraniyyah at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi
Topic: Message to the Youth
Venue: Islamic Studies Academy Auditorium
Time: 2:30 - 4:30pm
Co-Organizer: Islamic Studies Academy

Night Lecture at Surau AnNur Section 2, Bangi
Topic: Are you Married or Happy?
Venue: Surau AnNur, Section 2, Bangi
Time: 8:00 – 9:00pm
Co-Organizer: Surau AnNur, Section 2, Bangi

=======================================

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 2011

Morning Lecture at Adni Islamic School
Topic: How to Earn the Love of Allah
Venue: Adni Islamic School, Jalan 1 Taman Sri Ukay, Ampang
Time: 8:15 - 9.45am

Evening Lecture at Nottingham University Malaysia Campus
Topic: Ocean of Love - Before you say "I Do"
Venue: F1A13
Time : 5:30 - 7:30pm
Co-Organizer: Islamic Society of Nottingham

=======================================

THURSDAY, MARCH 31 2011

Morning Lecture at Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Serdang
Topic: The Struggle between Truth and Falsehood
Venue: MARDI Serdang Main Auditorium
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Co-Organizer: MARDI Headquarters

Night Lecture with Young Muslim Project
Topic: How Do You Raise Your Parents?
Venue: Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, KGPA
Time: 8:00 - 10:00pm
Co-Organizer: Young Muslim Project

=======================================

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 2011

Friday Khutbah at International Islamic University of Malaysia
Topic: Message to the Youth
Venue: Main Masjid, International Islamic University of Malaysia
Time: 1.00 - 2:00pm
Co-Organizer: International Islamic University of Malaysia

A HEART SERENE: THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL
Venue: Lecture Hall 2, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya
Time: 7:00 - 10:00pm

=======================================

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 2011 & SUNDAY, APRIL 3 2011

A HEART SERENE: THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL
Venue: Lecture Hall 2, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya
Time: 10:00am – 7:00pm

=======================================

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 2011

Afternoon Lecture at Chulan Towers
Topic: Du'a - Strength of the Believer
Venue: Chulan Towers Musolla, Jalan Conlay Kuala Lumpur
Time : 1:00 – 2:00pm
Co-Organizer: Chulan Towers Musolla Committee

=======================================

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 2011

Morning Lecture at Raudhatus Sakinah (Female Adolescence Guidance Center)
Topic: Marriage – Before You Say “I Do”
Venue: Raudhatus Sakinah, Sungai Buloh, Selangor
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Co-Organizer: Raudhatus Sakinah

Night Lecture at Surau Taman Dagang Avenue Ampang
Topic: Take 5 Before 5 – What’s Your Legacy?
Venue: Surau Taman Dagang Avenue, Ampang
Time : 8:00 - 9:00pm
Co-Organizer: Surau Taman Dagang Avenue committee

=======================================

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 2011

Friday Khutbah at the Nottingham University Islamic Center
Topic: What is Your Legacy?
Venue: Nottingham University Islamic Center
Time: 1.00 - 2:00pm
Co-Organizer : Islamic Society of Nottingham

=======================================

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 2011 & SUNDAY, APRIL 10 2011

A HEART SERENE: THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL
Venue: Lecture Hall 2, Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya
Time: 10:00am – 7:00pm

* For more info please contact:
1. Br. Amar (013 399 8837)
2. Sis. Faradila (012 740 1169)
3. Email us: malaysia@almaghrib.org

Final Examinations Approaching

2011-03-24T21:35:00.009+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

As the sweltering hot sun and heavy cold rains greeting us, the final examinations are now approaching almost all of the university students here in Malaysia causes the nerves to wake them up all night long. Most of the students probably cannot really have a good sleep, thinking on how to score for the final papers that are awaiting them tantalizingly though the students hardly see the papers unless when the days come. Assignments submitted, notes copied, lecturers being visited by the students for consultation and life seems to be a little bit in chaos. Basically, everyone is extremely busy getting themselves armed and prepared for the wars that they are about to face.

"Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you (1)"
-Surah At-Takathur, Ayat 1

The verse above-mentioned noticeably, to all appearances, telling us that we are literally engrossed with uncountable worldly pleasure(s). Allah has made it clear for us to understand without any hidden hardly interpreted words but explicitly indicated that our life, get distracted by the rivalry in this ephemeral world. Hence, answer is demanded as to clarify the verse which causes one to freeze and ponder upon.

We as human beings are too busy with things we do. We have assignments to be completed, presentation reports need to be submitted as well within a week, quizzes bombarding all over each day, car to be fuelled and so and so forth. Countless activities filling up our days that whenever people approach you and to have some discussion about Islam even for 1 minute, you refused to hear just because you are engaged with other things.

“Whoever submits his whole self to Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold: and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs.”
– Surah Luqman, Ayat 22

Allah, the Magnificent, is only asking you for two simple tasks; to prostrate yourselves towards Him and carry out good duties. That is just it. Good duties in the sense of flicking through the Qur'an and recite it wholeheartedly, have a look on those homeless beggars coming towards you asking for donation, carving smile on your face and more. Yet, you leave it behind as you have ambitions to chase after. In one Hadith, it says;

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Three things follow a dead person: Members of family, his property and his deed. Two of them return; and one remains with him. The people and his wealth return; his deeds remain with him."
Hadith No. 461 Sahih Al – Bukhari and Muslim Narrated by Anas r.a.

Often, very often when the examinations roll out the red carpet, we tend to allocate more times for the notes and books that we forget Allah swt which is the top priority above all. Indeed, exams are important in ensuring ourselves to be able to reach the next level for the academic purposes and education is obligatory in Islam. However, one should never forget that Allah is also important and should not be ignored. Arrange your time wisely for your studies as well as for Allah swt. When we love Allah and really want to meet Him, He will definitely love us, but if we hate to see Him, Allah also abhors to see us-God Forbid-.

Have some thoughts on it and sleep well. Free yourselves from cheating and never discussed once you finished answering the papers. (:

Bittaufiq wannajah fil imtihan!

The Step Not Taken

2011-03-22T11:29:00.013+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

"I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me." -Surah Ad-Dzariyaat, Ayat 56

Pride goes before a fall. An idiomatic English expression explains partially of a fugitive illustration written in the second paragraph. It simply tells that if one is being overconfident or having excessive pride, he will indeed bound to make mistakes at the first hurdle. That is basically what the most common mistake we have been doing over and over again throughout our life after our victory of getting out of our mothers' womb. Usually, each one of us has a plan or a dream to be achieved. A very well planned journey on how to enliven our aspiration that really prompts us to step forward in this life. Howbeit, every time we feel like doing it, I would say most of the time the zeal and enthusiasm fizzles out quickly-in Malay known as "hangat-hangat tahi ayam"-for whatever reasons. Why? It is because we have failed to take a right step in the first place.

Suppose one well experienced guy preparing himself to go for a rock climbing. He should have indeed be well acquainted and get himself prepared with all the safety harness equipment tied around his chest, neck and other parts of the body that needs to be taken care of. Basically, mountaineering should not be a problem for him. Despite with his immense knowledge about climbing a mountain, even the lurch at the rakish angle one, once he got too enthusiastic, he tends to forget the very first step that he should take and he follows his heart and climbs as he wishes, which resulted him to fall down and causes him to suffer from the minor injuries. Thorny stone would not be that nice to be fell onto and his enjoyment of the delusion has caused him a fiasco.

What is it that we forget?. We have planned well, like a 4 years to-do-list is up there pinned on our soft-boards back in our rooms and financial management that really bugs our life all this while have been allocated fairly for future purposes plus the approval the we got from our parents , what else could be missing?.

The answer held in common that we will hear is Du'a or prayer towards Allah. Yes, Brothers and Sisters indeed prayer is the first quintessential step before everything that we do. Prayers are like our fortress entrenched our intentions from any inimical bad elements that might just interfere.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
"A slave becomes nearest to his Rabb when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.''

[Muslim]

Nevertheless, we as Muslims also should after the Du'a, to move a few steps back and ponder upon the relationship that we have built with Allah. Since you were born into this world, you were not obliged to perform prayers up until you reach the puberty. Though the fact that you do need to be taught of the basic Ibadah prayers towards Allah that you really need to know, you are not forced to do so because of your incapability of executing it excellently. Apart from that once you have reached your puberty, everything now is up to you, and you will be questioned of everything that you have done in this world. This is the time when you should be working on or engrossed by knowing your Creator and build a bond with Him. All of us have at least an ambition but we were not told that much about the preparation that we should take when the very first time we wanted to implement it.

All Muslims and people from other faith and beliefs as well should know that he or she could not have achieved everything that he or she possesses now without His permission. It is a fact in spite of your rejection. Even the atheists should have re-evaluated themselves of what are the purposes of them being brought into existence other than to be a dust once you die like they claimed -Astaghfirullah-.

Put your trust and hope and everything you have in Allah swt first. Do not just raise up your hands for 2 minutes and that is the only devotion you have for Him. Establish your five daily prayers, giving alms, fast and perform the pilgrimage if you are affordable and start to know your Creator. Do not just let the Qur'an to be placed nicely inside that beautiful adorned cupboard. Take it out and read and understand it. Insha Allah, Allah will make everything easy for you.

Pray for your friends first and foremost as what stated in one Hadith;

The Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: "The dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial dua for his brother the appointed angel says, 'Aameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'"
[Sahih Muslim]

Once you failed, it does not mean that you are going to be flunk for the rest of your life, but it is just a postponed victory for Allah knows best.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), "The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): `I supplicated my Rabb but my prayer has not been granted'.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah's Mercy

2011-03-19T17:09:00.007+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

"On no Soul does Allah Place a burden Greater than it Can Bear, it Gets every Good that it Earns, and it Suffers every ill that it Earns"
- Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 286

Life without challenges. What would life be like if there is no single challenge come upon?. Everyone of us dreams to live life happily with a big smile graven on our faces without any problems bugging our ongoing journey to the transcendental life. Not even an ant crawling on our palms but to relish every second without tribulation.

Songs booming with the striking beats overheard all over the places prompting oneself to dance like forever. Fathers go to the office, doing their jobs as the sole breadwinner and mothers back at home settling the laundries and prepare the foods for the family while children running here and there, do whatever they want with an anticipation that everything will be just fine. Regardless of whatever activities that their children are doing, nothing would be much harmful. Big cars parked in front of their bungalows and mansions built well and intact. Climate goes as desired and that is how it goes routinely and accordingly. That is how it is said as the ebullient of life.

Pause and reflect. Does everything that has aforementioned really define a happy life?. If one Muslim deeply believes in Allah why would Allah created this world but far above the skies there are Jannah for those who believe?. Life without challenges, are we sure that life is truly convenient if it is be like that. Imagine, your faith is not tested, your credibility is left unmeasured and your intellectuality remains useless as there is no difficulty that is to be resolved. Do you think it will be upgraded just like that as you wish and you grow matured for nothing. If that is how you define happiness of life, then you really need to go and get a life.

Brothers and Sisters in Islam. Allah has created you not to put force on you to stomp you down to the centre of the earth and let you suffer. Nor Allah places you in a predicament to left you insulted and dejected. None of your hateful assumptions about Allah's objectives is matched but He is to prove His magnificent love towards you.

"How does that make sense while we keep on annoyed with this disarray of life?."

Mercy of Allah is not how do we think it is and it is not equitable with humans' mercy as Allah is the Most Powerful Lord, from whom the divine truth descended upon this universe. Let's illustrate our best how Allah 's mercy is like.

There is a mother and a child occupying the kitchen. At first the mother has warned the baby to not get close to the gasoline by the non verbal communication. As expected, the baby ignores and heading to the gasoline. The mother runs immediately to the baby and carry him to the safety place. But the baby rebels and crawls toward the gasoline, and the mother gets him again and that is how it goes until the baby is successfully put to sleep. That is how the mother shows her mercy. But Allah's mercy is totally different. The mother should have patted the baby to give him a lesson to not go near the gasoline any more as it is dangerous and harmful.

It applies the same to our life where difficulties exist therein. Whenever we get knocked down, that does not mean that Allah has ceased His mercy upon you, but He is paving more ways for you to nurture yourself better and to seek for His forgiveness for Allah loves you unconditionally. Remember, Allah would not test you without a solution.

Allah yubarrik fikum.

The Strangers

2011-03-04T11:04:00.004+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, `Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers.` It was asked, `Who are those strangers, O Messenger of Allah?` He replied, `Those that correct the people when they become corrupt.`

[Reported by Abu Amr al-Dani, from the hadith of ibn Masoud. It is authentic according to al-Albani.]

My Brothers in Islam,

Do not feel challenged when they tease you when you do not have any girlfriends at all. Do not put your face down when they insult your beards that neatly kept and the thinned moustache just because you follow the Sunnah of the Prophet. Do not feel ashamed to recite the Qur'an whenever and wherever you are though all eyes are on you. Let go your faith not, for Allah loves those who obey Him in full.

My Sisters in Islam,

Do not be saddened whenever you are ignored like a stranger when a very modest and decent clothes put on your body. Do not ever feel disintegrated when they degrade your dignity just because you refuse to expose your precious treasures. Do not feel dehumanised when others show off the thick lipsticks on their lips and the make-up titivated on their faces. You might be seen as a lonely person, but they know not that Allah is always with you and the blessings bestowed upon you unremittingly.

Ghuraba. My Brothers and Sisters in Islam, do not feel disgruntled whenever people look down on you just because you follow exactly what Allah has commanded upon us all.

Shoot the Breeze

2011-03-01T09:30:00.007+08:00

Salamu'alaykum,

One wonders what the world would be if the restless wars keep on striking here and there destroying the nations and lands leaving the civilization annihilated. Ambling down the street, the kids decide to just walking behind their Mummys' foot, worrying over the bombs that might be dropped by the enemies. Over the rules that executed by the authorities, is it really that efficient or it is just another way to torture the citizens? one keeps on pondering.

" I got my BMW back in my house, my own theatre set and a huge palace built by my own money, I don't see what is the big deal with those with power who allegedly cruel. "

Hard really hard, to face the social stratification that thrives until now, in this so called urban world where people enjoying the amazement of the modernization that one does not really need to walk out of the door, to get the foods from the store. Would not it be much easier if we just obey the rules rather than trying to make a mountain out of a molehill?. Irrespective of the discrimination that takes place, let's just struggle instead of straggle right?.

Try to sleep on it and make a wise decision. The causes, the effects and the do's and dont's. Just do not ignore the Qur'an and you will find the way out of the misery.

Allahu'alam.

Love

2011-02-17T11:35:00.009+08:00

Asssalamu'alaykum,

Whenever people talk about love, what actually comes across your mind?.

Have a look on the list down here:

Mother
Father
Girlfriend(s),
Boyfriend(s),
Sisters,
Brothers,
Wife,
Lamborghini
Ferrari
Mercedes
Gucci
Money
hand shaped of heart
red colour
pink
throbbing heart

Does any of it nail you?. If it is yes, then please say, Astaghfirullah- Allah, I seek Your forgiveness-. Akhi, it is about love. A bit sad here that when we speak about love, something that we really like and lean on, we happen to forget Him and our mother and father enter in before Him.

In what respect have we presented towards Allah swt?. Is it all this while we have been acting so pretentious that we love Allah or is there really a relevant argument for this. We pray 5 times each and every single day, we pray to Allah, chanting His name in nasheeds, portraying how noble He is but when it comes about love, we seem to forget about Him and other things happen to be lingering inside our mind.

Ask yourselves, what this supposed to mean? Of all knowledge that you have, books you have been reading, things you have been discussing, people you have been condemning unremittingly, articles you have been writing , friends that you have been correcting but eventually it does not move yourselves, at all when it comes to you. Are you really sure that you really love Allah?.

When you made a decision, did you often think about Allah first or other things else. Does the level of prioritization of Allah that you have made exceeds your mensuration of your desires?. Think again.

In Psychology, there is a special terminology named Prototype. It simply means what is the most common you have in your mind about everything throughout your past experiences. What have been replicated and taught that serve as a benchmark about any particular component. Yes, I know that there might be some other scientific explanations about this but just for the sake of this moment re-evaluating ourselves.

Putatively, when we claim that we are a Muslim or a believer, should not Allah that should comes first into our mind when the very first time the word uttered?. If it is not, then hurry up to the mirror and ask, why?. Something wrong with you?. Come on, like you read Qur'an every single day, memorize tonnes of Hadith, scarf on your head but why does it all go wrongly all of a sudden?.

This problem is common amongst us Muslims. We tend to be ignorance about this and the worst of it is that we did not even realize it. We keep on throwing the word Halal and Haram here and there but how about our 'amal-practices- that shall be first judged in the graveyard before we proceed to the next level. The main core reason for this is that our lack of knowledge about the exact and actual meaning of Ilah. Familiar with this word? You should, because this is what you have been moistening your mouth 10 times a day if not less.

" I listen to Nasheed, I love Allah so much and it prompts myself to be aware of Him."

To inculcate love in Allah is not through music-though there has been such a heated and acrimonious debate amongst Muslim scholars about its ruling-. Neither nasheed nor pop-rock whatsoever, but it is reflected through the prophetic tradition taught by the Omnipotent One and Only, Allah swt.

" Say (O Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him to mankind): If you Love ALLAH then follow me, ALLAH will love you. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

- Surah Ali-Imran, Ayat 31

This post might be a little bit provocative but it is and admonishment or rather a reminder for me before I share it out with the others. Again ask yourselves,

Do you really love Allah?

Flying and Falling

2011-02-14T07:01:00.009+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Alhamdulillahi rabbal 'alamin. All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I am ecstatic to be informed that Husni Mubarak, at last put an end to his near 30-year reign of dictatorship.

Apart from that, I was really engrossed with so many stuffs to do, for the past 2-3 months and indeed am I. Since I joined Al-Aqsa Friends' Society and elected as the head of Publications Bureau, things have changed gradually in terms of my time, studies and money wise. By Allah, I was really confused at times that it left me besotted, knowing nothing to do with the jobs on the waiting list and on the other side of the notes, my assignments, exams lining up in the line tantalizingly while on top of it written name Allah and Da'wah. I began to think is it what I am doing now impeding my Ibadah?.

It does not mean here the responsibility I am carrying now is such a burdensome but it is about how do we manage our time.

I used to say to my friend

" Ya Allah!. How busy I am this semester. Lot of things to do and have no time for it. " I paused and continued.

" We do have time, but maybe, yet to learn on how to manage it wisely through faith in Allah. "

Prophet Muhammad Sallahu'alayhiwasallam was given exactly 24 hours the same as us, but did he ever complain about the time given to him or what bothered him the most was his duty as the messenger of Allah?. Sit properly and think, he carried with him uncountable responsibilities by Allah i.e. to spread Islam and perfect the moral of human behaviour and he managed to do it without any single grumble. Subhan Allah.

Ikhtillat, barriers between men and women and I am feeling like start to lose it and seem could not careless about it. Allah, I am so afraid of all the words I have uttered but end up with no practice at all, not even put into implementation. In spite of sardonic statements I do received once in a while with people around me, honestly speaking I scared if Allah twists and turns my heart thus lead me to the state of perplexity and Shaytan will hold my hand bring me to the path I have never desired to be on. As to enlighten, I have been dealing with quite number of sisters lately and it gives me discomfort about it.

Allah says in the Qur'an,

"And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way."
-Al-Israa', Ayat 32

Not that I am trying to exclude myself from them nor am I demeaning their dignity, but it is really challenging when dealing with non-Mahram sisters. I try my best to avoid it when it has no valid reason to do so. They are the pearls of Islam and if we do not take care of them properly, they might just turn out to be like a thorny cactus. Taking care of them meaning here is to take care ourselves from manifesting improper action that will lead to destruction of human civilization.

Currently in the Masjid sitting with my friend after performing our Subh prayer here in IIUM Masjid. It is beautiful, it breaths in serenity, it is such reviving to wake up early in the morning and have some conversations with Allah Azzwajalla.

Revolution

2011-02-03T12:40:00.007+08:00

-Egyptians praying during the protest

Assalamu'alaykum,

All eyes are now focusing on the Middle east, particularly Egypt. A country that is in the most chaotic situation where the citizens demand for revolution and let the swollen-headed leaders who follow tyranny and practice dictatorship to step down. Inspired by the recent revolution of Tunisian people, Arabs can no longer endure the lies and falseness that keep suppressing them without one single empathy. Subsequently, people from all over the world too voicing out their dissatisfaction towards the blameworthy rulers. The riot now is taking place in Egypt and Lubnan and most probably Syria and Jordan.

Astaghfirullah, number of people who are killed and died resulted from the riot is increasing drastically. It was demonstrated peacefully at first but the small consequences refuse but to turn to be major catastrophe caused of the unfriendly and vexatious response from the authority. I could not stand myself seeing the fathers and mothers bleeding so wicked. I could not help myself but to raise up my hands and pray to Allah to make this world at peace. To perish the despotic governments and give rise to the most justice and God-fearing ones to lead the Ummah.

I do not want to be labelled with anything, just a pure Muslim who wants justice and truth to be illuminated hence place a harmony life in this world.

For more pictures, go to this website:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/01/protest_spreads_in_the_middle.html

We are the leaders of this UMMAH!. We are the Amirul Mukminin!. Egyptians, my prayers are always by your side.

Man ansori ilallah? Nahnu ansorullah!.

Sekitar Pasar Malam UIA

2011-02-03T09:02:00.002+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Malam ini, bulan kelihatan tersipu-sipu malu. Seakan-akan segan untuk menonjolkan dirinya. Kendatipun, cahayanya tetap setia menyinari di segenap alam ini. Jam dikomputer menunjukkan 11:16 minit malam, menandakan malam semakin hampir kepada puncaknya sebelum pagi menjengah. Biarlah entri kali ini aku berbahasa Melayu, bahasa kebanggaan ku, diterap sejak aku mula melangkah ke bumi ini, Alhamdulillah.

Cuti penggal semester telah pun bermula. Seminggu diberi, dan masa sungguh kian menjadi lebih pantas hari demi hari. Takut aku memikirkannya. Tinggal lagi 4 hari sahaja sebelum Kuliyyah dibuka semula.

Aku sampai di UIA waktu Maghrib hari ini. Hampir 3 hari aku berulang-alik dari rumah ke UIA untuk menyiapkan tugasan diberikan Pensyarah. Aku tiba sedikit lewat, dan terlepas jemaah yang pertama, Alhamdulillah, ada juga yang baru sampai dan baru sahaja ingin menunaikan solat. Terus aku mengikuti mereka. Seusai solat, aku ke HS cafe, hajat di hati ingin bertemu dengan sahabat dan melegakan sedikit tekak dengan sedikit minuman Teh Ais, minuman kegemaran. Lain dirancang, lain pula yang jadi. Terlihat seorang senior, yang baru saja tamat jurusan Ekonomi Sains dan Pengurusan di UIA, lalu aku melabuhkan diri di meja tempat beliau bakal menjamah roti canai dan berkongsi cerita dan khabar masing-masing.

Seorang rakan ku, Ifran dan seorang lagi berasal dari Mesir menegurku memberitahu hajat mereka untuk ke Pasar Malam dibelakang UIA Gombak. Walaupun aku sudah tinggal di sekitar Kuala Lumpur hampir 20 tahun, tetapi aku masih belum pernah lagi ke Pasar Malam berhampiran UIA Gombak. Niat untuk mengikut mereka bermain didalam minda, lalu aku biarkan mereka pergi dahulu. Selesai saja aku berborak dengan senior ku sebentar tadi, terus aku menuju ke Pasar Malam tersebut yang memakan masa sekurang-kurangnya 6-7minit jika berjalan kaki.

Aku memulakan langkah, melepasi Azman Harun Hashim Complex sebuah bangunan yang baru siap dibina awal Julai tahun lepas. Aku terus maju ke hadapan, dan sampai sahaja di pagar belakang, kelihatan begitu banyak kanopi tersusun dibahu jalan, diterangi lampu kalimantan dan dipenuhi oleh pelanggan. Aku beristighfar dalam hati

" Apakah niat ku sebenar untuk pergi ke pasar malam?. Jalan-jalan? Tiada matlamat? Adakah aku begitu naif sehingga membiar sahaja nafsu mengawali diri ku yang serba serbi ini. "

Aku teringat akan satu Hadis dimana mafhumnya, Rasulullah melarang umatnya untuk pergi ke pasar dengan tujuan untuk bersiar-siar dan membuang masa kerana di situ terdapat begitu banyak Syaitan berkeliaran.

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The dearest parts on the face of the earth near Allah are its mosques, and the most hated parts near Allah are its markets.”

[Sahih Muslim]

" Try to get one maybe some Kuih (cake) or Dadih, Insha Allah"

Aku berbisik sendirian.

Aku meneruskan perjalanan dan kelihatan sahabatku, Ifran berjalan dari arah yang bertentangan. Dihulurnya tangan dan salam diberi. Subhan Allah. Indahnya Islam mendidik kita Adab dan Akhlaq.

Toleh kiri, Subhan Allah, penuh makanan pelbagai citarasa dijual. Kebersihannya diragui, tetapi aku yakin insha Allah yang mereka pasti menitikberatkan nilai kebersihan, dibuangnya su'udzon aku praktikkan husnuzon. Pakaian turut dijual, kanak-kanak, dewasa, permainan dan bermacam lagi. Aku alihkan pandangan seketika kearah remaja yang berada disitu, remaja dimana kebanyakkan mungkin lebih muda dari ku, seusia dan lebih tua. Sepintas lalu, aku terlihat seorang gadis, berpakaian yang sangat mengesalkan. Bukannya aku merenung kearahnya, tetapi cukuplah sepintas lalu itu menunjukkan begitu telah rapuhnya Akhlaq sebahagian gadis muslimah kita. Bukannya aku hendak menghukum, tetapi hendak mengambil pengajaran dan dijadikan sempadan. Ya, aku sedar yang kita tiada hak untuk menghukum apatah lagi apabila kita hanya diam bisu dan tidak menegur. Gadis itu berpakaian t-shirt pendek, mempamerkan bahagian yang tidak sepatutnya dan memakai seluar yang sangat pendek, sehingga kelihatan harta yang bernilai, diperjuangkan Rasulullah SAW supaya dihormati dengan ditutupi dengan kain akan tetapi, seakan mereka tidak begitu menghargai pengorbanan Rasulullah SAW.

Disuatu sudut lain yang lain pula, remaja lelakinya lebih bersuka berjalan didalam kelompok atau berkumpulan. Mereka diam-diam sahaja, dan suka saja merenung kearah diriku saat aku melintasi mereka, dilemparkan senyuman manis terhadap mereka, dibalas dengan wajah penuh kekeliruan. Aku tergelak sendirian.

Aku terus lagi berjalan, melihat gelagat manusia yang aneka ragam. Sangat tersentuh apabila melihat Pak Cik dan Mak Cik yang berusia tetapi masih lagi gigih mencari rezeki. Teringat akan Babah di rumah. Beliau sudah pun mencecah usia 61 tetapi masih gagah mencari nafkah buat kami. Nabil doakan syurga untuk Babah, insha Allah.

Kereta dan motor saling berselisihan dan kelihatan Hafizan, rakan seperjuangan ku dari Foundation Nilai sehinggalah kini di Gombak. Rumahnya di Sarawak, jadi cuti seminggu ini dinikmatinya di kota metropolitan, Gombak.

Sampai dihujung gerai, patah aku pergi mendapatkan Dadih Jagung dan terus menuju pulang. Pelbagai ragam manusia. Ada keluarga Arab sibuk membeli buah, ada warga Bangladesh dan India sibuk memilih buah yang elok. Bahu aku semakin lenguh dek beg yang berisi laptop dan barang yang lain. Aku mempercepatkan langkah.

" Isya' dah masuk ini. Rilek, jalan dengan tenang. Sampai penat-penat, tetapi solat tak khusyu' apa gunanya. Rasulullah contoh yang baik. "

Aku berbisik sendirian kembali.

Kaki dijejak masuk UIA melalui pagar belakang UIA dan aku berjalan kearah masjid. Terdengar alunan merdu bacaan Qur'an oleh Imam. Sejuk dan tenang rasa hati. Aku duduk disebentar disalah satu tangga yang ada di Kuliyyah Architecture dan menghabiskan Dadih jagung yang dibeli sebentar tadi. Teringat kenangan saat aku bersama Ustaz Ali, Akhi Mu'az dan yang lain ke Kuliyya Kaed suatu ketika dulu, menikmati makanan yang sangat murah. Kerap sahaja aku singgah UIA ketika aku belum lagi melanjutkan pelajaran disini. Iyalah, rumah dekat sahaja. Alhamdulillah.

Sampai sahaja di masjid, aku terus menunaikan solat fardhu Isya'.

Entah kenapa, aku teringin untuk berkongsi pengalaman malam ku ini ke Pasar Malam di belakang UIA ini.

UIA, di universiti ini aku pelajari banyak benda baru, kenal pelbagai personaliti dan gaya pemikiran masing-masing. Nasihat Mak dengan Babah sangat berguna dan apa yang mereka kongsikan pada aku suatu ketika dahulu muncul satu demi satu. Manusia pentingkan diri sendiri itu memang wujud. Acap kali Mak dan Babah menasihati tentang perkara ini. Pandai-pandai menyesuaikan diri dan jangan diperbodohkan.

Aku tahu bagaimana rasanya dipergunakan kawan hanya untuk kepentingan beliau sahaja. Sudah aku harungi saat itu dan sedang juga berlaku disekitar kawasan penuh berilmiah ini. Aku ingat lagi, susah payah aku mengorbankan masa untuk menolong kawanku dan ditinggalnya aku begitu sahaja. Ada yang kurang sopannya. Alhamdulillah, aku tidak menyimpan dendam. Kadang-kadang itu memang, selalu saja aku terasa hati atas sikap biadab sesetengah pihak, tetapi Rasulullah SAW mengajar kita untuk bersabar dan berdakwah dengan penuh hikmah. Dakwah diri sendiri itu prioriti utama.

Saat aku berjalan di pasar malam tadi, teringat memori lama di sekolah Melawati dulu. Kawan-kawan seperjuangan disana. Ada yang tersekat di Mesir dan Alhamdulillah dalam perjalanan pulang, ada yang dibarat dan merata tempat lagi. Setangkai doa aku kirimkan. Teringat juga perangai aku dahulu yang sebahagiannya memang tidak menyenangkan. Alhamdulillah, aku belajar.

Jangan salah anggap bagi yang sedang membaca, ini hanyalah sekadar perkongsian. Aku bukanlah sempurna, sungguh aku banyak kekurangan.

Maaf atas kekusutan dan kerumitan karangan Bahasa Melayu aku ini. Almaklumlah, sudah lama tidak menggunakan bahasa ini sebagai tugasan formal, semuanya Inggeris dan Arab di UIA. Insha Allah, akan aku mempertingkatkan kearifan ku dalam bahasa tanah tumpahnya darah ku,

Sampai disini sahaja.

Salamu'alaykum .

La Tahzan Wa La Takhaf

2011-01-23T16:51:00.005+08:00

Desk full with dust,
clean up the clutter and mess,
you cry out loud like always,
of your immeasurable sins, you transgress

Tears trickling down,
fears and regrets are about to blown,
is there any hope that I shall put on,
or all I deserve is only a dungeon

"O Allah, I try to fight!,
I try to combat!,
It seems failure is my reward
I know it's my fault, I take guilt"

"Sins! Sins! Sins!
Even plurality cannot describe,
Allah's torment is waiting!,
how would I hike from the spike!"

Arise from the clay,
and Adam was created, Eve accompanied along the way,
the first sin committed on that blissful day,
for the penance to Him they obey and Jannah is their bay,

Humans always forget,
of Allah's mercy that nobler than the senate,
don't let the Shaytan abet,
put your trust in Allah, you don't fret

How well acquainted you are about Allah,
ask yourself, do you even know Allah,
but you always find ways to be hopeless,
blessings awaited, though you detest

Allah is Al-Qahhar,
The crusher, the subduer,
He is Al-Ghaffar
The most forgiving, the merciful

Mistakes, sins, have preordained upon us,
infallibility belongs to the Prophets,
turn to Allah in the best repentance,
By Allah, you will be in peace

La Tahzan, wa La Takhaf,
Allah loves you so much so,
trash the forlorn,
pray to Allah and He will forgive

"Why should Allah punish you if you are thankful and believe? Allah is always responsive to gratitude, All-Knowing."

-Surat an-Nisa', 4:147

Life Appreciation

2011-01-20T15:17:00.008+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Syukran, yes, Syukran Jazilan to all my readers that continuously reading my thoughts, ideas, point of view, and the noblest message of Allah channelled through my blog, everyday or occasionally, though the fact that I have uncountable deficits. Insha Allah, what I am going to share in this post is related with our,-which people have been squabbling for centuries- integrity in life.

Life, as we know, has been defined by almost majority occupant of the world. Everyone has their own definition of life and each and every definition is usually will be different according to ones' view, respectively. Notwithstanding, that there are people who seem to view life as being unfair, still, they could not ignore the fact that they are, indeed, living in this world. Regardless whatever individuals want to give a say about how life is like, they still need to find way to survive in this worldly life.

In every matter that we confront in this life, we should never neglect Allah swt. Of course we should not only seek His guidance only in time of predicament or difficulty but also when we are in as what we think, in peace.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Lo! the home of the Hereafter - that is Life, if they but knew. "
- Surah Al-Ankaboot, Ayat 64

This life is only an illusion and it exists for an ascribed time and shall end soon, followed by the hereafter life, that last long, forever. In that hereafter life the ones who have done immeasurable deeds for the sake of Allah will be admitted into the heaven and those who did not, will suffer in the -God forbid- hell fire. Looking at this so called worldly life now, there are many signs or hints present that are to say we are coming closer to the end of the world. It is obvious and we cannot hide from the truth. In spite of that facts, do we still have times to play around, merrymaking and ignore Allah's command?.

Have we appreciated this life?. One question that we need to ponder upon every time we wake up early in the morning -I hope-. Have we uttered Alhamdulillah for the t-shirt that we are wearing, watch on our wrist, trousers covering our legs, money that we have?. Have we expressed our gratitude towards Allah swt when He allows us to still have our parents sit next to us alive, sisters enliven our life, brothers as our companions in arms?. Did we actually say thank you Allah when He tests us just to enhance our Iman and Taqwa so that we are able to survive the upcoming challenges?, or did we do the otherwise?.

Throughout our life, have we ever contributed something, at least something to elevate Islam to its highest level?. Next question, have we worked on our 'amal; prayer, zakat, fasting, pilgrimage, Da'wah and so and so forth or are we still choose to be ignorance just to fulfil our unlimited desire.

Did we turn to Him in repentance or remorse? love or hatred? humility or arrogance? faith or disbelief? prayer or profanity?.

We should be thankful for what we have not for something that we do not have. The problem with us now is that we often look on something that we do not posses and hardly get not what we have that others do not have. We claim Allah is being unfair to us but yet at the same time, there are people who are living in poverty could not stop but keep praying to Allah and glorifying Him for what they have.

As to delineate my points here, Insha Allah, I would like to share one of my poems, entitled life appreciation that is to advise myself before others, to be thankful and apply the meaning of Shukr in our daily life.

Life Appreciation

Life, is not only inside nor outside,
but it is within you that you will decide,
until when should you put aside,
of all things that count in Allah's sight

Joy and happiness are the must components,
to be included in your prayer, foremost
while the words of blessings have never been mentioned,
just that you could not careless of His commands, the uppermost

Of all great creations nestled around your space,
how often do you express,
the gratitude and gratification,
or all you care is only yourself?

Everyone is equally blameworthy,
for your unfulfilled desire maybe,
life is easy?!, hey you give me money,
and I won't commit felony

Broken glasses fall apart,
we go left, we go right,
we know our objective is not at the back,
sit tight and enjoy the ride.

- Sheikh Nabil Farabi Al-Syariff

Oh My English!

2011-01-09T09:04:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel once said that, nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion. It was just like any other day; the sun as always, spurting out the light early in the morning, brighting this massive universe. The door was ajar and I was sitting around after had a quite scrumptious curry and tasteless iced-tea for my breakfast that suddenly this idea popped inside my mind. Reviewing my old posts in my very own blog.

Subhan Allah, how time flies and how everything has changed. I chuckled and could not force myself but to express my gratitude towards Allah unremittingly. I did so many grammatical errors before in my previous English post. Even the simplest grammar , I wrote it wrongly. One thing that make me, I would say proud-in a good way- is that, in spite of the amphibological words connected with ambiguous interpretation delineated with vague stories,I was still brave and determined enough to just continue to write regardless. Arabian Pakistani Malay guy here. Masha Allah (:

Feel free to visit my 2007 post and try to see the how the words, structure, grammar and so and so forth changed accordingly. Alhamdulillah, I have learned a lot. I was thinking to edit back all my posts that are having linguistic and grammatical problems, but it seems just so reviving to let the history remain unchanged.

O Allah, thank you for everything.

Unlimited Patience

2011-01-08T12:51:00.006+08:00

Salamu'alaykum,

Curiosity sits in our mind whenever people speak about patience. It is known that patience is a noblest trait to be carried out in action. Of its sanctity assures the best blissfulness one would embrace. Though the fact of its absenteeism can give rise to the big-headed and hatred to rule over the world, the cure seems, nevertheless to be dreary and dark, of course as it is proclaimed.

Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him".
[Muslim].

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the most wonderful person ever stepped on this world. His perseverance built-in his character has sown the seeds of Islam, able the people in present to see how Islam is being practised in one's life even in the remotest area. History has shown in very detail of Prophet Muhammad's life, both public and private. According to humans' logic and conflicted mind, one would never capable of enduring such challenging tribulations and resistances attacking from every corner of the world, illustrated by the history. The well known famous heart-rendering story that is relevance enough in order to elucidate this point here is when Prophet Muhammad went for a visit to Ta'if with Zayd.

It was a secret visit between Prophet Muhammad and Zayd bin Haritha to Ta'if. The only purpose was to share and spread the truth message of Allah swt towards the community that lived there for centuries. He went straightforwardly to the leaders and shared out the message very decently. Although they rejected the message, the leaders still allowed the Prophet to say whatever he wants to, but they in return displayed despicable manners in front of the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet remained calm and made his move out from the place while asking them to at least keep their meeting as secret. As anticipated, they did the opposite and even ordered the children to chase over Prophet and Zayd with the stones.

The pelting stones left Prophet immersed with blood when both of them entered the garden, running away from the chasing mob. The Prophet had a rest under the tree and it was this particular time that the Prophet raised his hands and prayed to Allah. * Warning, heart-trembling.

“O Allah, to you do I complain of the weakening of my strength, of my few options, of the way people humiliate me, O Most Merciful of the merciful ones. You are the Lord of the weak ones, and You are my Lord. To whom will You entrust me? To a distant (stranger) who will show me an unwelcoming face, or to an enemy, whom You have given control over my situation? If You are not angry with me, then I do not mind, though safety from You is easier for me. I seek refuge with the Light of Your Face, which brings light to darkness, and upon which the affairs of the world and the Hereafter become right – from Your anger descending upon me, or Your displeasure befalling me. I will continue to seek Your Pleasure, until You become pleased (with me). And there is neither might nor power except with You.”

Right after the Prophet's supplication, Allah sent the Archangel Jibreel and he was at his command to crush the formidable mountains in between over the Tai'f people who had hurt and caused harm to the Prophet Muhammad. Due to Prophet mercy, instead, he refused and hoped and supplicated that the progeny of those people would embrace Islam. Glory be to Allah, and now we can see how the message keeps on disseminated and hardly stopped. What bother the most of this story is how patient was the Prophet and did not feel dejected at all when the message could not actually reach into the leaders and the people of Ta'if's hearts. Albeit, his perseverance was worth it and now people can see Islam, everywhere.What is the key?, patience.

Patience and perseverance are not actually to be built in within a tolerability but stems out of sincerity and humility. Humans, which always told to have a limit patience, is not true. If patience has a limit, then it cannot consider as patience. Patience or perseverance is a quality which defines by the heart. How do people nurture their heart will determine the nature of the patience which often against in its pristine form. It is such beautiful trait and cultivated through sincerity.

" Oh yes, patience. It is easy to talk, tell me, how do we cultivate patience inside ourselves, unlimitedly?. "

As a Muslim, we should not allow our emotion to control ourselves. It is hard to see tragic accident happened in front of us, keep silence from the censures we received, untruth news about yourself being spread everywhere and so and so forth. But we need to always remember Allah swt in any time of predicament.

"Oh you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere." (2:153)

Prevent yourself from putting Allah aside from our life. He is our Lord, One and Only and He definitely would not place on us, a burden which we are incapable of resolving it. Once we share to Allah everything, we will feel really relieved.

It is nobler than revenge when we just choose to be humble and let the people say whatever they want to say about us. Truly, to zip others' mouth is nearly impossible. What we can do is to be humble and try to have a slow talk to whom it may concern. When we are angry, by scientific, our IQ level is zero and that means everything we do during that time is irrational and brainless and our Prophet Muhammad () did teach us what to do when the anger strikes.

Narrated Atiyyah as-Sa'di: AbuWa'il al-Qass said: We entered upon Urwah ibn Muhammad ibn as-Sa'di. A man spoke to him and made him angry. So he stood and performed ablution; he then returned and performed ablution, and said: My father told me on the authority of my grandfather Atiyyah who reported the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) as saying: Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created of fire, and fire is extinguished only with water; so when one of you becomes angry, he should perform ablution.
( Sunan Abu Dawud)

Whenever the irascibility strikes, try your best to figure out how to solve the problem with wisdom. Again, put Allah in your life and you will find your way out of misery.

Our body is like the trunk of the tree, intention is the twigs and action is the leaves that resulted from the sincerity of the heart. Patience, it's virtue.

Allahu musta'an.

01 01 2011

2011-01-01T06:44:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

This will be my 1st post for year 2011. Subhan Allah, time is like greased lightning. It swift peregrination goes on and on, capturing so many historical, momentous, insignificance events, placed nicely in the album called, The Journey of Life.

New year is the beginning of a new calendar which vastly agreed by the majority of the people from all over the world, falls on 1 January, Roman Calendar. Almost all Muslim clerics go against this celebration claim it as a pagan's tradition and causes such immoral activities amongst Muslims and other people as well. On one side, there are numbers of Islamic NGO's perceive this event as seriously disastrous for the human civilization thus decided to fight by tooth and nail to prevent Ma'siah (disobedience towards God) from taking place. They get hands on down the place, and disseminate pamphlets, articles, journals, advises to the humankind reminding them of God.

01,01,2011, would be the most preferable date for the brides and the grooms to be united legally by the name of Shari'ah. The unique and attractive sequence of the numbers prompt the lucky gentlemen and ladies to conclude their hearts together for the sake of Allah swt. This date also, there are people who might be destined by Allah to reach their turning point of life. Transformation from the undesirable, to the loveable and pleasant in the eyes of Allah swt and vice versa, God forbid.

Last night, the sky was adorned with the fireworks, world was disturbed with the booming sounds of the firecrackers, the dogs were howling. The Masjeeds were full with people, having feast festival, sermons, Qiamullail and other religious activities. Numerous activities in one night, heading for different objectives.

I pray to Allah, to make my life better than before and empower me myself with an intact Iman and unshakeable Taqwa entrenched with my, hopefully, increasing Ibadah.

I respect those who chose not to celebrate, that is highly recommended.

Perfection; An Unachievable Dream

2010-12-25T22:40:00.017+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Perfection. A nice sequence of the different letters with an exceptional of the two e's, binding inextricably the words that have resulted the eloquence of the pronunciation. One dream that everyone has been craving for timelessly for one's faculty. An endowment which human beings willing to wait for centuries envisaging to be on the peak of self-actualization.

Analogically, the dream for perfection also has inflamed and triggered this world to vibrate hence causes cracks from the inner core inside the earth up until the iceberg crashes into island splitting it into two and smoulders the combustible volcanoes thus erupted, 'vomiting' out the lava.

In its respective nature, men are born fallibly and ascribed mistakes in the future undertakings. The moment babies are born into this world, out from the mother's womb, they are not able to see anything at all, not even their mothers. The vision is still in progress and in needs of time that the only thing that they could do is to cry in finding the familiarity of the ones who have carried them for 9 months, without a single grumbling being spoken out of the misery. Until the babies hugged by the mothers, and cuddled under the mother's arm, the melancholy stops, and tranquility emerges.

As men grow up in this temporal world, they learn so many new things. Absorbing and decoding every single thing that is happening in front of them, which matter vitally, for their cognitive process and study of perfection. As the time passes by, they reach a new level after another. One level where they only play one role at the moment and capable of imitating others bringing them to the next level where they can play more than one role but failed to understand allegorical statement which prompts them to survive into this world so gallantly that leads them to an achievement of being their own particular self. Still, men are looking for perfection.

One day, a young kid is walking down the street, he sees so many types of people scattered all over the place. Atrocious event suddenly takes place at that time and has caused the kid to startle. He runs to his father and pats his father's back.

" Would not God be more tolerance and bring peace into this world by breathing perfection in everyone's life, don't you think?. " The kid asks the father.

" Would not world would be boring if there will be no test and tribulation?. The faith is never being measured and don't you think that one can live in deviant once he gets all he wants to have without any obstructions, challenging their bravery and determination?. " Father addresses the question.

" But if it has been prescribed upon them that there are going to the hell fire, why would them being brought into existence in this world in the first place? "

" How sure they are that they are going to the hell fire?. Is it by sketching excuses would allow them to commit such vicious acta?. I want to ask you a question, what would you do if you are hungry?. "

" I would have stuffed foods inside my mouth, filling up my stomach. "

" Why would you do so?, don't you think that God has destined for you to be hungry forever?. "

Imperfection, it is a perpetual fate, preordained on every human being. Albeit never give up in striving for perfection. Start to share the words of Allah, the beauty of the Prophet and the way of life, Islam. Do not wait until the door, is closed.

"O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm."
-Surah Muhammad, Ayat 7

The Best Ummah

2010-12-18T18:36:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Almost everyday, yes, everyday I see uncalled news being reported relentlessly in the mainstream newspapers, news that are going to break your heart into pieces. Tabloid newspapers, above all other types of newspapers, prone to report one kind of horrifying, ruthless and atrocious news that are happening around us, over and over again. Amidst of this such vicious crimes occurring in our country, we still, ambitiously claim that we are an Islamic and God-Fearing society which peace is something that we relish at almost, every single time though the fact that there are conflicts creeping all over the place, it seems that ignorance gives just fine resolution.

To be straightforward, it is really hard to just sit down and keep silence when in front of you there are teenagers, who might be the same age as you are, unmarried, holding hands by greed, and hugging each other just to gratify their lustful desire and ultimately, adultery will be committed, as for what?, to prove their ostensible eternal love. After all, the man will besmirch that ungrudging girl's topmost precious throne, rape the girl off and expect to live happily ever after. It is indeed, a false hope that people always being fooled of the movies that envisage untruth dreams. As a result, what do you think would happen next?. Let me share with you, wait for the next few months and read on the newspapers, and it will sound like " Baby being dumped inside the trench " or " dead baby found at garbage dump " and by now, you should be able to predict other versions of the news headline.

At this stage, most of the teenagers would just ignore of everything that people say to them. Regardless how severe the censure may be thrown upon them, they seem to be could not careless and tend to think that they will survive successfully. In Psychology, it is called Personal Fable -click to read more-.

We can actually foresee what will happen in a future time but still we just choose to ignore and take care of ourselves only?. Maybe, we have forgotten the meaning of brotherhood and solidarity that we keep on craving for.

Even I am more saddened to actually realize we can do nothing, of the invasion by the enemies at our most holiest land in Palestine, genocide at Chechnya, war in Iraq, oppression in Afghanistan and where else?.

One question, how do we curb these issues?, is it by putting blame on the government -of course leadership plays a vital role-, fighting among each other and pointing finger, or is it being silence is the best thing that we could do?. Hopeless, don't you think when we speak out loud about Islam, uniting people, denounce debauchery but we just lay down on the bed and do nothing, nothing at all. This is a serious Islamic issue and it is not excluded from humanity scope that it is always inter-related.

It is time for us, Brothers and Sisters in faith and in humanity, we especially as a Muslim should perceive these issues seriously and must always remember that our actions will be asked in the day of judgement for Allah will reward you what you had done right and punish you for every wrong thing you committed in this world. As for my Christian, Hindust, Buddhist brothers and sisters, there is no more time for us to sit down and just look, we need to take heed and I am pretty sure that you guys would not like to see this world to be destructed just because we neglect our responsibility as a human being to clean this mess, up. Watch over your kids and make sure you know every single thing that they do, with whom they are befriending, nurture them with good moral values and do not blindly beat them for something that is negotiable and can be solved amicably through wisdom. It is not wrong for you all to emulate our-Muslims- way of life because Prophet Muhammad Sallahu'alayhi Wassalam was sent to spread the truth towards the mankind, and this is only an advisable suggestion.

Islam promotes peace, justice and love and certainly against any abominable action.

Everyone can speak how they want to change this world, but it takes an action to enliven it and put it into reality. Start from the smallest things that we always overlook. Remember, Islam touches every aspect of life; Worship, cleanliness, foods, marriage, parenting, and whatnot and our life is consider as Ibadah as long as we do it all for the sake of Allah Azzawajalla, alone, nothing else.

What you wear, your action, your face expression, it is all consider as Da'wah.

"Ye are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed it had been better for them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil-livers."

- Surah Ali-Imran, Ayat 110

****************************************

" Well, as for me, personally, I think that the twins would have their thought, practically the same but not for their behaviour. Because, you see, sometimes, we as a human being, tend to be affected or westernize with the environment we are living in. Of course, in Islam we are the ones who give influence on others and regardless of the place we are living in, we shall have a strong faith in Allah swt. But, yes, sometimes our personality might be affected and the way of communicating could be, different. "

I voiced out during Social Psychology class . The class was discussing about the attitude of human beings living in one place, how they are shaped by the society and how they themselves shape the society, first and Allah's permit, question about the twins came across my mind. I am feeling blessed by Allah swt to be given this opportunity to seek knowledge. One thing that I love the most with almost all the lecturers of IIUM is that they will never secularize the subjects, topics that we are studying. Of course, as the name suggests, Islamic university, the Islamization of knowledge is being put into practices and not just a claptrap. Subhan Allah, I love it.

And that was only my personal opinion about how we are shaped by the society, albeit, if we truly believe in Allah swt with an intact faith, we will definitely instil good Akhlaq, take care of the boundaries between man and woman and do everything 'fisabilillah'.

One reminder, for me, before to be passed towards the nations.

Meaningful Moment

2010-12-16T20:35:00.010+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Tomorrow is the day, Grand Finale for OIC Intervarsity Debate Championship. I was quite well-informed with this event especially with its conspicuous posters being pasted at almost every wall of IIUM that one cannot avoid from seeing of all the details graphically designed to tell the people what it is all about. Debate?, I have my own personal point of view about it and insha Allah, shall share with you all for the next upcoming posts.

Put that aside, and now let me share, insha Allah, about one coincident event that had occurred yesterday which resulted my self to be silently exhilarated of the ebullient I experienced. It was a normal day, like any other day that I faced along my studies in IIUM. Of course, the atmosphere, environment, people are not necessarily the same which I often state that everything, even the tiniest thing does has an impact upon me that defines what I am now. I was driving back from Melawati after having a delicious lunch of Ikan Bakar with Zaid. As always, the sweltering sunny typical weather of equator has never failed to exerts out such sulky sweats out of my body. Both of us were enjoying the relishing moment after a very scrumptious lunch accompanied with side dishes inside the car and Alhamdulillah, no burping sound was heard during that time.

I parked my car at Kuliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences and made my move to the Masjid to have some rest and someone greeted me, " Assalamu'alaykum! ", " Wa'alaykumussalam" I answered in return and I turned and it was my Psychology senior. He just finished of his personal matters and headed the same way as we are and that was when I noticed something so familiar. A guy, not that tall and not to short, but rather moderate. " Wait, Allah, macam familiar je dia ni. Macam budak Melawati ni. " I spoke to my friend and then I was so confident that I shouted " Assalamu'alaykum! " and he turned around " Eh, wa'alaykumussalam!, eh lamanya tak jumpa. Kau dah besar ada jambang, janggut semua, apa cerita dowh. " It was Adi, my long missed schoolmate of Taman Melawati. He responded with his innocent voice. " Alhamdulillah, sekarang belajar kat sini, ni belakang my Kuliyyah. " and then we exchanged numbers and proceeded with our own agenda.

I stunned inside and felt so grateful towards Allah swt. Now, maybe some of the readers are wondering why is this event has given, apparently significant impact on me. To elucidate, SMK Taman Melawati has become staunchly one of the most historical place I had ever lived on this earth. Every event that had taken place at that memorable high school really shaped me now. My friends which play as a vital agent of socialization are always placed at the best place of my heart though there might be friends who were not that close before, but still, my appreciation is there. So, when I saw my friend's face at that particular time, all the memories started to, abruptly check in to my brain, activated my neurons and brought me back to the time where I was still wearing the librarian neck-tie and a pitch librarian uniform, so ambitious. The moment where I was really outspoken and talkative-Alhamdulillah, managed to rectify-, unwavering supports towards the Ustazah, such comedian person I was before with all those Tazkirah shared with all people I met, my so called bestfriends -now everyone is my bestfriend- . I smiled and unstoppably telling my senior and Zaid about how grateful I was towards Allah swt for who I am now.

I felt happy to see him back after 2 years for he can see what I am now and how I can perceive who he is now. Feeling like hugging him but time is unforgivable. That event, really, all of a sudden, knocked my head and made me realize of who I am now. Still, lots of things need to be improved. Insha Allah.

There might be events that happen to you that seem to be unattractive, but who knows of the underlying messages come along with?.

" But seek the abode of the Hereafter in that which Allah hath given thee and neglect not thy portion of the world, and be thou kind even as Allah hath been kind to thee, and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters, "
- Surah Al-Qasas, Ayat 77

Seclusion

2010-12-15T22:31:00.004+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

"The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you,"
-Surah At-Takathur, Ayat 1

We are too busy. So many things to do; studying for exams, completing assignments, reports need to be submitted, children to be fed, wife to take care of, parents to be served accordingly. Amidst of the chaos bustling that we encounter each and every single day, have we ever spent at least a minute to seclude ourselves for Allah swt, alone, wholeheartedly?.

Saidina 'Umar Radyallahu'anhu once said, " Hasibu anfusakum qabla an tuhasabu " which means, " Bring yourself to account before you are taken to account. " It connotes that we need to really take care of all the deeds that we have done or yet to be done. 'Umar further said, " Wazinu anfusakum qabla antuzanu ", " Weigh your deeds before your deeds are weighed ".

How many years have you lived in this world, 18 years? 25 years? 30 years?, ask yourself, what you have done for Islam?. We are blinded with this futile world, that full with hopeless dreams which ultimately we realize that we have contributed nothing for Allah swt, at all.

Free yourself and take your portion of seclusion.

In one hadith:

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (radhiallahu `anhu) said, ‘It was said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is the most virtuous deed?‘ He said, ‘Jihad in the way of Allah.’ He said, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘That a man secludes himself in the mountains fearing Allah and freeing the people from his evil.’

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Secluding yourself here does not signifies that you need to abandon your wife, family, studies and any kind of Dunyawi things, but it is urging you to find time to seclude yourself just for Allah swt alone. We need to be balanced and it shall goes 70% for Akhirat, and 30% for Dunya. Take off the I-Pod, switch off the television and go to one place where you can devote yourself faithfully to Allah swt. Try to seclude yourself for about maybe 20 minutes and start to Muhasabah (introspection). Allah loves those who try to find way to be one step closer to Him. This world exists ephemerally and do not wait until the repentance door is closed, forever.

Trials and challenges are what make your faith, enhanced or decreased. The power is in your hand.

Undefinable Gratitude

2010-12-10T15:44:00.002+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Subhan Allah!, I am so grateful right now. Feeling like putting my forehead on the ground, expressing my gratitude towards Him, unremittingly and do not want to lift my head up, ever again. How I am so glad, ya Allah.

A bit speechless.

‎" If in your offer letter has stated which course will you major in, that will be your major, no need to declare once again."-Sir Nerawi, Mass Communication lecturer. Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah. Allah has opened for me a way to pursue my dream in Psychology.

"O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is with the steadfast. (153)"
- Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 153

Alhamdulillah!

Major Sins; Draw A Line

2010-12-09T06:38:00.013+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdur-Rahman b. Abu Bakra that his father said: We were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) that he observed:

Should I not inform you about the most grievous of the grave sins? (The Holy Prophet) repeated it three times, and then said: Associating anyone with Allah, disobedience to parents, false testimony or false utterance. The Holy Prophet was reclining, then he sat up, and he repeated it so many times that we wished that he should become silent.

(Sahih Muslim)

Insha Allah, today, maybe I want to share a little bit of my small amount microscopic knowledge regarding major sins. It is clear enough in the Hadith aforementioned about some of the grievous grave sins that we Muslims should prevent ourselves from committing it.

Let's us dissect what Abdullah ibnu Mas'ud -Allah be pleased with him – said about this.

"The believer sees his sins as if he is sitting at the foot of a mountain fearing that it might fall on him, while the sinner (fâjir) sees his sins as a fly that lands on his nose, he just waves it away."

Definitely you do not want yourself to get pinned by the formidable mountain for your body will be fragmented and such horror scene will take place, logically right? and what you would do if a fly lands on your nose? You will like wave it left to right grudgingly. Now can you see the underlying meanings of this metaphorical statement?. It is like when you see snarling dogs chasing you all of a sudden and you will unhesitatingly run away from them and this applies the same to those top major sins. To cut off my deliberation, it denotes that you need to drive yourself away from all those malicious actions that will give your life a misery.

Wait!, Take a break. I want to ask you guys to do something, don't worry, it won't hurt you. Close your eyes, pay attention to your one single tongue. With Bismillah, try to move the tongue, left, and then right, fold it a bit, twist your tongue and do whatever weird stuffs that you can do with your gifted tongue (make sure you will still have your tongue). Finish? Alhamdulillah!. Now switch your focus to your right hand. Try to do the same as what I'd asked you to do above (alright, it might hurt a bit).

Brothers and Sisters in Islam, I want to ask you honestly, what did you feel once you move your tongue? It feels nothing. No pain at all (unless if you bite it), but how about when you try to move your hands?. It hurts right?. This is what life is like, in fugitive way. To talk or to deliver Tazkirah or any kind is much, much easier than actually to put it into practices. Go in front of the mirror and ask, 'How many of us today really walk the talk that we talk? ' ,or are we prefer to just talk without practising it. This 2 famous verses of the Qur'an portray how Allah is so mad with those who preach but do not practice.

"O ye who believe! Why say ye that which ye do not? (2) It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not. (3)"

- Surah As-Saff, Ayat 2-3

It does not mean here that you should not spread the Da'wah just that you need to have a guileless heart and sincere intention in doing everything in this worldly life. Try your best to sit next to the Prophet for we are born not to be perfect.

Going back to what I want to share with you all, Brothers and Sisters in Islam, is about some of the major sins that we might, unconsciously committing over and over again, na'udzubillahiminzalik.

1. Shirk

Shirk is when you associate Allah SWT with something else; deities,fetishes and statues.

It is divided into two which are: -Asy-Syirku al-Akbar (Major Shirk) and -Asy-Syirku al-asghar (Minor Shirk).

"Lo! those who expect not the meeting with Us but desire the life of the world and feel secure therein, and those who are neglectful of Our revelations, "

- Surah Yunus, Ayat 7

Syirku al-Akbar or Major Shirk is one type of shirk that is happening in our Ibadah by setting up any other Ilah other than Allah swt. What are the things that you can figure out when we talk about Major Shirk?.

Veneration and praying towards other creatures or non-existence creations other than Allah swt.

Allah says in the Qur'an,

"And when they mount upon the ships they pray to Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He bringeth them safe to land, behold! they ascribe partners (unto Him),"

-Surah Al-Ankaboot, Ayat 65

We only ask Allah when we are in midst of predicament, at the death's door, but once Allah helps us all, we tend to ignore Him and tend to disobey Him. Bear in mind that this is consider as Shirk.

Absolute Obedience Other Than Allah

"Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. "
- Surah Ali-Imran, ayat 31

Putting Desired Things at The Same Level With Allah and exceeding Him

"Yet of mankind are some who take unto themselves (objects of worship which they set as) rivals to Allah, loving them with a love like (that which is the due) of Allah (only) - Those who believe are stauncher in their love for Allah - Oh, that those who do evil had but known, (on the day) when they behold the doom, that power belongeth wholly to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment! "
-Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 165

This is like a slap to our face. Realistically speaking, we often prioritize things that we love the most surpassing the One Lord. Be it our lustful desire, personal gratification or things that we want so bad. We boldly once, delay our prayer just for the sake of buying numbers for gambling, let go the Hijab just to put on some garments on the ears. How could we actually commit all those kind of sins when we have uttered that there is no God to worship but Him and Muhammad is His messenger?. Take a few steps back and re-evaluate ourselves.

"Say: If your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your tribe, and the wealth ye have acquired, and merchandise for which ye fear that there will be no sale, and dwellings ye desire are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger and striving in His way: then wait till Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. "
-Surah At-Taubah, Ayat 24

Major Shirk Consequences

"And (remember) when Luqman said unto his son, when he was exhorting him: O my dear son! Ascribe no partners unto Allah. Lo! to ascribe partners (unto Him) is a tremendous wrong"
-Surah Luqman, Ayat 13

Would not be forgiven by Allah swt

"Lo! Allah pardoneth not that partners should be ascribed unto Him. He pardoneth all save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah hath wandered far astray."
-Surah An-Nisa', Ayat 116

Forbidden from entering Jannah

"They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers. "
- Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 72

Futility of the deeds

"And verily it hath been revealed unto thee as unto those before thee (saying): If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail and thou indeed wilt be among the losers. "

-Surah Az-Zumar, Ayat 65

Far from His guidance

"Turning unto Allah (only), not ascribing partners unto Him; for whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far-off place."

-Surah Al-Hajj, Ayat 31

- Minor Shirk

To enlighten the point here, for instance, try to look back the moment we surfed the Internet. We were so busy searching things that we want, completing our tasks, chatting, or most common, facebook-ing but when the Azan overheard what did we do?. Did we answer the prayer, go perform ablution and prostrate to Allah swt? Or we continue to surf the internet wholeheartedly ignoring the call prayer?. This explains the meaning of minor shirk.

“The matter that I fear the most for you is minor shirk…”
Al-Albaanee’s As-Silsilah As-Saheehah

“When they get up for the prayer (Salaah), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of Allaah.”
- SurahAn-Nisaa’, 4:142

2.Magic

Magic which what we know is an ancient belief of the power of unseen creature, named Shaytan. It is sometimes defined as a form of deception by showing something to an audience, which is contrary to reality and hardly accepted by logic. In Islam this is part of magic, which is, however, defined as seeking the help of demons to do something harmful against somebody, despicably.

"And indeed (O Muhammad) individuals of humankind used to invoke the protection of individuals of the jinn, so that they increased them in revolt (against Allah); "

- Surah Al-Jinn, Ayat 6

In this so called modern world, many of us think that there is no such thing as magic being practice as it is only belong to the backward people and those who lived in the medieval period. To be frank, it is still being encouraged to practise today, yes, even our youth. This shows how we are so doubtful with the power of Allah swt.

3. Disloyalty To The Parents

Parents, without them where would we all been to now?, are we able to see such beautiful sunrise and adorable embedded moon without them?. Respecting our parents is one of the most crucial thing to do whenever and wherever we are regardless. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. "
- Surah Al-Israa', Ayat 23

Our tone, the words that we want to use, how we speak with them, all need to be taken into account. No, we cannot simply treat our mother the way we treat our friends and definitely wrong for us to yell savagely to our father the way we mad at our juniors in school, office etc. They are completely at the different highest level of hierarchy in this life. The cultivation of love towards them shall has been inculcated since the beginning, after they have been nurturing us with the knowledge, moral values and whatnot. Why is it so hard if we just choose to succumb when there is a squabble going on with our parents?, just for preventing us from going one inch outside of the house to make sure that we would not do bad things, we need to act seditiously?.

Even worst, some even willingly kick the Qur'an that the mother were reading and ask for money. O Allah!, what kind of world will I live soon!.

Larger the scope now, to those who have married. Remember, when you accentuate more to your wife and prioritize the wife more than your mother, you are actually reserving a place in the hellfire. As a son, and a husband, your priority after God is your mother and you need to serve her at your best.

In one hadith,

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father.
(Bukhari, Muslim).

These are some of the major sins that we Muslims should avoid from involve in it. It is strongly forbidden in Islam and such vicious act to be put into practices. Abhor things that Allah has prevented upon us so that we can live this life, faithfully and satisfyingly.

O Allah, Make Me Strong

2010-12-08T11:08:00.005+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance."
-Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 155-157

Alhamdulillah, the process of inhaling oxygen permeating in the air and exhaling the carbon dioxide inside, out is still running around my autonomic body flawlessly which allows me to relish the great wonders of Allah swt. That is how humans and plants interchanging what they have to benefit each other by the permission of Allah, Glorified in His loftiness.

Today 8th of December, 2010 is a historic day of my life, unexpectedly. All of a sudden, my plan which I was so intense previously, all turn out to be another way around. Whoever knows me, they know how I am so into Psychology and my passion in it is unquestionable but this is life. Not everything that we want, we will necessarily get it. Allah knows what is the best for His servants. I checked my 1st Semester result yesterday and my pointer dropped and my grades were not that good and I was astounded. I searched for Psychology and this word spilled out from my mouth " Lailahaillallah" and I kept silent. The only thing that can be heard at that moment was the sound of the whirling fans. I kept Istighfar and I hushed to myself " What I'd done wrong? Ya Allah, please help me, I really love the subject. " I called Ummi and told her and as usual she will always be supportive. "Insha Allah". Babah, he never failed to give his outstanding support towards me " Tahniah Nabil. Don't worry, Insha Allah, you will succeed, pray to Allah a lot my smart son! " and he stroked my head. To be frank, I was about to drop some tears, tears that possibly inundate the whole world of the result that I just got. I was so in desolation.

After sending my sister to the train station, I went straight to International Islamic University Malaysia and had my breakfast at HS cafe. Accidentally met my previous classmate and we talked a bit. I made my move right after I finished the meals to the Psychology department, a place I had been skulking around whenever I am passing by the place, imagining how I would be frequently go inside there, settling up matters for my degree but it does not seem to go the way I wanted it to be. *I really feel sad now, Allah.

" Salamu'alaykum, may I see the Academic Advisor? "

" Wa'alaykumussalam, dia ada dekat bilik. "

" Ouh, she's in already, thank you, Salam. "

I went to the room and met Dr Mariam, Academic Advisor for Psychology Department.

" There is only one option, which is you need to re-take the subject but you need to consider back so many things. "

"I know, at this moment, thing that is running inside your mind, is the passion, but it is not only about that. "

"Don't just simply do things without looking at other priorities. You will be delaying your time here to complete your studies and the sections are all full if you want to re-take. "

I listened while my heart , deep inside, trembled.

" Insha Allah, there will be another way. Sometimes, things just do not go the way we wanted it to be. InsyaAllah, I will try my best to go with my 2nd study-plan. " I replied.

" Insha Allah, it is good to have study plans. All the best. Insha Allah. "

That was a little bit of my conversation with Dr Mariam.

Believe me, I was about to burst into tears, knowing that I have lost my chance to do Bachelor in Psychology. But I did not, for I know Allah knows what is the best for me. It is not easy, yes, to endurably face all the obstacles and overcome it, is not easy. I sent a message to my Babah, updating of everything that had happened and my plan.

* My eyes watered now

Here is my 2nd study plan: Major in Sociology, minor in Islamic Revealed Knowledge complete it all and then pursue for my Master in Psychology (Coaching and Mentoring) insyaAllah either in IIUM or Stanford University or Birmingham University and then go to middle east for my Islamic studies. I really pray to Allah, that this will be my right choice of course, after Isthikarah.

That's it for now, I guess. Brothers and Sisters in Islam, pray for me, I really need you guys' support now, Insha Allah.

* Nabil, tabahkan hati.

Salam.

My Beautiful 19th Birthday

2010-11-23T14:59:00.004+08:00

- Beautiful artistic cake-

Subhan Allah, I have actually grown up and lived in this world for 19 years. Time, really, unarguably flies. I have reached 19 years old and grown wiser. The path is not going to be any easier, instead it needs of a guileless heart, sincere deeds, and strong faith towards Allah swt.

My 3rd sister, Siti Khadijah Al-Syariff was the earliest person to wish for my birthday early of November. She handed me a box of fragrances and I am touched enough for her generosity. I love you Ukht, if you are happen to read this, remember always in your mind that my love towards you has no limit and my prayers are always by your side. As for today in my family, my eldest sister, Syakirah Al-Syariff was the first one to wish me leaving my other siblings behind for my 19th birthday followed by my mother. Babah is now at Nur Lembah Lenggong, Perak, delivering his speech and training for the students and he wished me also. Masha Allah.

Apart from that, my friends, Subhan Allah, have been wishing for my 19th birthday from 12 o'clock in the morning up until now and counting. I am certainly overwhelmed and blessed. Almost all of my friends, since I was in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, foundation studies and International Islamic University Malaysia have been praying for me with abundant of Du'a and wishes. Jazakumullahu khayr kathira.

Here is my latest poem entitled Inconceivable Magnificent Creations, to all my Brothers and Sisters in Islam and in humanity. This simply about how I am so captivated with the wonders of Allah swt and how do we as a Muslim appreciate His Greatness, relentlessly.

Inconceivable Magnificent Creations

I amble along the street,
finding the meaning of serenity,
which has been occupationally leased,
by the name of exploitation and voracity

Apart from the place I am standing,
The eyes are glued on something,
The ears refuse to ignore,
I let the spirit to draw

I see the lofty mountains,
I see the immense oceans, the birds flying by,
I hear the therapeutic dripping sounds of the rainfall,
I smell the redolence of the flowers at the twig adjacency,
I notice the heart beats unstoppably,
I perceive Your creations and I am overwhelmed,
I can feel and enjoy every benefits of Your wonders,
I thought that I'd appreciated much of Your greatness

but, only You know the weight of the mountains,
the mensuration of the oceans,
the hovering number of the birds,
the exact measurement of the drops of the rainwater,
the fallen flowers and leaves,
the frequency of the heartbeats,
the living creatures under the seas,

For once, I stunned,
not by the pounce,
the body stiffened,
I left perplexed,
that is when I know,
Subhan Allah is the correct word,
of appreciating your Vastness, Magnificent creations,
to actually let the blood inside to flow,
so that I am able to breath,
and kneeling to You, Allah, the Mighty One.

- Sheikh Nabil Farabi Sheikh Shaker Al-Syariff

'Eid Al-Adha 1431 Hijriah

2010-11-16T22:12:00.004+08:00

Faithful Family of Prophet Ibrahim 'Alayhisolatuwasallam

It was in the holy city,
in the night of serenity,
that he'd dreamt the mandatory,
to sacrifice his loved son,to prove his loyalty,
towards One and Only.

For the first Ibrahim hesitated,
of the dream he had,
prayer for refuge and forgiveness he pleaded,
but the same dream kept appearing non stop.

He knows that it is a sacred order,
from the unprecedented Creator,
to tell the son, he disinclined,
for Allah he'd conveyed no matter what.

Isma'il, agreed unquestionably,
of everything that Allah commanded to him,
the sharpness of the knife has no equality,
to the belief and faith he was holding in.

Siti Hajar, the wife prepared the son,
for something she knows not,
both of the father and the son went to Mina, the city,
where this remarkable event will be in every book of history.

As what had promised,
the devils would never stop abet,
the first attempt flunked,
to the wife the Iblis prolonged,
he was dumbed, she is the martyr of Allah.

Isma'il, is the last person he hope,
to push him down to the slope,
Isma'il took the clay and the rock,
threw it right to the left eyes of the unfaithful inciter.

The knife refused to chop off,
the head of the obedient servant,
for God's sake Ibrahim forced,
but it was only a test, that everyone detests.

The Iblis was defeated,
the test was surmounted,
by Allah they'd screamed,
the father and the son reunited.

Allahu Akbar!, Allahu Akbar!, Allahu Akbar!,
Mala'ikah Jibril vociferated,
Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamdu,
Isma'il responded,
and the exclamation was ennobled by Allah,
which it keeps resonate even until now.

Salam 'Aidil Adha, Taqaballahu minna wa minkum!.

Misconceptions About Islam

2010-11-13T11:48:00.009+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

The misconception about the sacred heavenly revealed scripture of the Qur'an has made people to stereotype Muslim. Throughout 1341 years (Hijrah) of the dissemination of Islam takes place, there will always be groups to conceptualize Islam deviantly.

When we talk about Islam, what come across your mind?, a Muslim lady who wears Hijab and a Jubah (robe) with pathetic look, carries heavy begs, or harvesting the farm under the sweltering heat of sunlight while the husband laying down back in the house with cigarette in his mouth?. Or maybe, an oppressed Muslim woman who has been slashed ruthlessly by a Turban-headed man?. Clear your mind now and then think, when we speak about Western people, what immediately pop out in your mind?. A beautiful woman, with blonde hairs, wearing such elegant dress walking down the street happily going to office and proud of her career, or a man who always be there with his wife and always fight for the nation no matter what. Are these that came across your mind when the word being uttered?. If it is yes, then you probably have been conceptualized by the mass media.

Islam, is a nice beautiful religion which has always dignified its followers, both men and women. The nature of the word itself signifies peace, submission to the one and Only. Everything that has been commanded is directly from God which was delivered by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and it is beatific for everything that is asked to be obeyed has its underlying meaning which ultimately, benefits us all.

Mass media, a very strong medium for the Westerner in general and non-believers in particular to set up their ideologies and launch it onto the Muslims all over the world. Whether through music, news, movies, cartoon etc. They have always portrayed Islam as an extreme religion which teaches its followers to kill the non-believers, beat the women heartlessly, conquer the wealth, dehumanised the innocents. Global news broadcasters are so intense to fight Islam that they often impose severe censures upon Islam and Muslims untruthfully. In regard of that, Muslim women also being accused for letting themselves to be oppressed and deprived of their rights to get the education and the liberty of wearing whatever they wanted to. Their agenda, as always, will try as best as they can to persuade the Muslims to let go their Hijab and follow their way and loosen up the faith. They will always support the Muslims who are against of the wearing of the Hijab and inequality of Islam and elevate them to the highest level.

Gender bias, is one of the false characteristics of Islam. They often argued that why Muslim women are not allowed to pray together inside the Masjid in the same row and why should the women pray at the back while men in the front. This is, totally a misconception about Islam. Islam is far from biasedness whether for men or women. Indeed the reason why women need to pray at the back is because they are the followers of the leaders, and the leaders are the men. In logical sense, if the women happen to be praying beside the Muslim men, it would definitely trigger a sexual attraction and distracts the prayer thus goes wrongly.

"(It will be) the Day when no person shall have power (to do) anything for another, and the Decision, that Day, will be (wholly) with Allâh. (19) "
- Surah Al-Infitar, Ayat 19

Human, will be judged based on their deeds and devotion towards Allah swt. That the ones who have good moral and attitude are not equal with the ones who are bad. Islam is not like one straight line where everything is equal. Islam is full of Hikmah.

The other misconceptions about Islam is the restriction of the Muslim women to get the education. A very lame cheap argument. Prophet Muhammad Sallahu'alaihi Wassallam said " Men and women are obligated to seek knowledge ".

Albeit, they keep showing in the mainstream newspapers and television of the oppression that takes place in Pakistan, Afghanistan, where else?. If the community does exist, which is very rare, then they are not practically representing Islam. It is as simple as that. Please, do not try to understand Islam by looking at its followers, but rather go to the holy scripture and study it. Instead of you all making such presumption of Islam, swallow your pride and start to study Islam and do not go ask the non Muslims or non-practical Muslims to ask something that got to do with the rulings or the basic fundamental values of Islam. Be rational.

Orientalist, are known for their objective study which signifies to describe as it is, but as they comment about Islam, they are turning to become subjective and describe what it is not about Islam. They the orientalist in general tend to allege Islam as the product of the Satanic forces thus Prophet Muhammad SAW spread it in the name of Qur'an. If it is from Satanic forces then why are the content are all promoting good and forbidding bad?.

Even the Muslims mis-conceptualise about Islam. They tend to claim themselves as liberal, or moderate Muslim while we are suppose to be full time devout Muslim. They tend to use their mind to interpret words of God without looking at the most authentic Hadith of the Prophet and Tafsir of the scholars. Trying to take what suits them well and throw away what is not and claim it as their right. Feminist for example, inculpate Islam as seizing the rights of the women by forcing them to wear the Hijab but they keep silent on the exploitation of the women being exposed and symbolized as sex symbol and as the commodity of products.

Not to mention the Muslims who try to put Islam at the same level with other religions. What kind of nonsense is that. Islam is the most special way of life which denies the shirk or the act of setting any other God other than Allah, against apostasy and ranking of the human beings living in a society. You do not try to show how beautiful pluralism is by sentencing the words with " It is so calm to feel how to kneel inside the Church, bowing down in the temple and worshipping inside the Mosque ". No, Islam is not like that. I am not degrading other religion here, please take note. I do not insult Christians, Hindus, Buddhist for you have your rights to choose which faith you want to believe in. But, I rather want to share with you the essence of Islam and the truth for you to not to mis-conceptualized about Islam.

Islam is built upon five pillars which are

Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
Establishment of the daily prayers;
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
Self-purification through fasting; and
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

and the 6 articles of Iman

Belief in Allah
Belief in the Angels
Belief in the Revealed Books
Belief in the Messengers
Belief in the day of the Judgements
Belief in Al-Qadar

Understand the basis of it and start to develop our Iman and Taqwa towards Allah swt.

Watch these videos, and you will understand what I am trying to share :

Sin Expiation

2010-11-12T09:17:00.008+08:00

Salamu'alaykum,

It is almost impossible to find a word to describe how I am in sore now. Serious stomach-ache, that is only the medical name that hardly delineate the agony I am going through now. Yesterday was the last day for my final examination and it was Mass Communication paper. For about 4days I have been suffering only then I decided to see the doctor. I was thinking to not to go and see the doctor at first cause I was afraid that I might not be able to answer the exams after getting all the medicines but that was just pathetic presumption that can never take me any further to success. Maybe I was too worried with my exam that I neglect my health, Astaghfirullah.

Last night was really testing my emotion, perseverance and my faith. Wallahi, I was so in pain that I kept rolling here and there, bending down, grabbing my friend's hand, and only Allah knows how I ceaselessly uttering His name again and again. The stomach-intestine inside was like gripped and squeezed by the pain. I sent Akhi Ifran to the lrt station and went back home. My parents were so worried and we immediately went to see the doctor at Melawati after the Maghrib prayer. I hardly utter any words that my body language tells how I was suffering, severely. The doctor said that it is a serious stomach-ache and gave me some medicine and I know only Allah can cure me. At home, I was struggling to even breath and got the pills swallowed in and vomited everything out after 1hour. It was the most painful vomiting ever happened in my life with my groaning voice. Ummi, nonetheless, kept massaging my back smoothly. She will never let me sick and could never stand looking at his youngest son suffering. Allah bless you Ummi.

Today, I am a bit released now. Alhamdulillah. The pain had diminished and relieved a bit and at least I could send my sister to her office. Babah is on his way to Sibu Island with his other coachees for the Coaching talk. Alhamdulillah, I am enjoying Nasi Lemak Ayam now, to fill up my stomach with something even though it feels like I am loosing my appetite already.

Ya Allah, this is a test Nabil Farabi, you should be strong, face it with an intact faith towards Allah swt. He wants you to not neglect Him in whatever you do and kneel to Him even more.

May this test will be the expiation of my sins. Amiin.

Jazakumullahu khayr to all who prayed for me continuously.

Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) visited a bedouin who was sick. Whenever he visited an ailing person, he would say, "La ba'sa, tahurun in sha' Allah [No harm, (it will be a) purification (from sins), if Allah wills].''
[Al-Bukhari].

Pre-Eternal Provision

2010-11-05T09:55:00.002+08:00

We are here ephemerally,
there will be a time when we shall pack up our 'amal,
switch off the light of enjoyment,
make sure the doors of fitnah are all locked,
and our drawer of debts are settled,
ensure there will be no room for the robbers; snakes, scorpions to get into,
tide up our Iman,
and leave our house called world safely with Taqwa,

make sure again that all of the aforementioned,
will be well-ordered and well-organised,
because once we let the bag of 'amal opened wide,
we will be in total ignorant,
and let the light of enjoyment beaming all the time,
fitnahs would be attacking from each corner,
to break through our house,
and we will be suffered from uncountable arrears,
which the snakes and scorpions will sting our Iman,
and once it is loosen,
Taqwa will be abandoned.

oh, by the way,
don't forget to say our Shahadah before we leave,
and get ready to live eternally,
for what we had worked for before,
that we can never turn back,
even if we cry blood badly,
go, our God and Prophet are waiting,
face them and get ready for the decision humanly,
don't worry if we are afraid of the misery,
Allah will bless us,
and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would hold our hands,
if we deserve to enter His Jannatul Firdaus,
the highest level of Jannah.

We are here for a 'day',
decide now by the way,
and do not delay.

-Verily, this is My Way leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His path: thus doth He command you, that ye may be righteous. (153)

- Sheikh Nabil Farabi Al-Syariff

Self-Empowerment

2010-11-01T13:31:00.010+08:00

Subhan Allah

Salamu'alaykum,

Masha Allah, quite period of time I have not been blogging since I was jadedly finished my task as the Security committee for the recent programme, Save The Soul. Alhamdulillah, I am doing fine here.

Almost every single day I have been tested by Allah swt, over and over again. Indeed this life is a test right, you will be thrown so many obstacles from each corner of life and only those who have the strong faith and dependency towards Allah swt will definitely survive. "Life is what 10% happens to us, the rest 90% is how we deal with it", I saw it has written on someone's t-shirt at Human Sciences cafe and my eyes were glued to that t-shirt for a while.

So many, I would say so many challenges I have been facing for the past 2 weeks. I unconsciously left my locker's keys inside my closet, lost my room's key, lost my pens, subhan Allah, it was all occurred consecutively.

I lost my locker's key, it was during Maghrib time that I unintentionally overslept and woke up at 7:30 and immediately I separated the car key with the locker keys-as usual because I often bring my rooms key together with locker's keys separated with the car key-, locked it up and went straight to perform my ablution and had my prayer, Only after I was groping my pocket that I realized that I had left it inside my undeniably durable locked closet. Alhamdulillah managed to break it with the snapping impact of Akhi Arif Safwan with the Playar owned by Akhi Syafiq Izzat after few attempts of breaking in without using any tools. Masha Allah. A bit panic at first, Alhamdulillah able to repress it down and critically think how to solve it.

After that sudden tragic incident, I went straight back home to see my parents and siblings to settle some matters and went back to IIUM Gombak. Visited my friend's room, and guess what, Astaghfirullah, I lost my room's key. I felt so dizzy during that time, tired caused of my throbbing headache and pulsating head pain. I lay down on my friend's bed and tried to calm down. I Istighfar a lot and then asking my family, friends whether they had seen my keys anywhere and the result was frustrating. I kept calm and study with my friends, preparing for the final exam. I raised my hands and prayed to Allah to help me finding the key. It is so dangerous. Imagine if there is someone found the key and has a bad intention (na'udzubillah) and wants to break through my room and steal all of my roommates things. It would be terrible isn't it?. It was very worrying. Nonetheless, I stayed calm. The following day, I was having Revelation As Source Of Knowledge examination paper for 2 hours consists of 3 questions for 50 marks. Alhamdulillah, answered it all smoothly but kind of rushing. As usual, I just love to write everything I know that finally resulted me in desultory when they told me that I have 10 more minutes. Hehe. Need to organise my time in more ordered way. I went to my friend's Mahallah at night and tried to search for the key but still, I found nothing and wondering to write a report to the Mahallah management, because it is again, dangerous.

Subhan Allah, earlier today, I went back home at somewhere around 7 and after I performed prayer, I went into my room and I saw my room's key placed nicely, on my brother's bed. I was really grateful and subhanAllah, thankful to Allah swt. My patience is worth it, and will always be indeed. I think, I did leave it without realizing it on my brother's room. Need to be more careful after this.

"O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is with the steadfast."
- Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 153

What a hectic weeks I have been through, masha Allah. Really, and to be honest, I felt really scared whether I will be able to stand firmly in front of Allah soon in the hereafter. Allah, I am afraid.

Now I left 4 more papers for my final examination and insyaAllah after that I will be having holidays for 3 weeks and will be in the campus back afterward for the 2 semester session. Pray for me my Brothers and Sisters in Islam to face successfully all the papers. Pray to Allah to ease me out whenever I face difficulties in answering the questions and especially when I forgot what I have studied. Your prayers are precious and priceless. InsyaAllah, in return, I will always do the same.

Next upcoming papers;

Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Psyschology,
Sciences of Qur'an
Introduction to Mass Communication

Apart from that, I am so gleeful to know that Sami Yusuf's latest album, "Wherever You Are" is out. Masha Allah, the songs are all beautiful, heart-rendering, give you somewhat peaceful moment with all the praises towards Allah and Rasulullah (SAW) and the spirit of helping our Brothers and Sisters across the borders. Sami Yusuf even sings one part in his song " No Word Is Worthy" with Malay language. Masha Allah.

Grab and contemplate the message, insyaAllah.

My favourite, Salaam

No Word Is Worthy (Malay part, 3:37)

You guys can go to his website for the preview and if you intend to purchase it through internet.

The songs, have beautifully portrayed what I am feeling before, now and forever. Allah, I want to be with You in the heaven!.

Barakallahufikum.

Episode Of Life

2010-10-16T02:20:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, all praises be to Allah. I am so tired now, just got back from Shah Alam and cannot close my eyes somehow. It has been such a great honour for me to be given a chance to be part of the team-members to run a big Islamic event from my friend and Raudhatus Sakinah. It was indeed the first time in my life to do so. Alhamdulillah.

I was destined by Allah to be one of the security members during the showcase night of Maher Zain at Dewan MBSA and my job was to make sure everyone has got their original ticket, and reminding them to not make any video-recording. It was really tempestuous yet Alhamdulillah, managed to handle it smoothly. The main thing is Sabr or patient and insyaAllah, He will show you the way. Maher Zain's sang quite well and the showcase was tremendous.

Standing at the entrance door, scanning through the tickets, reminding and advising the audiences, went inside the auditorium and make sure everything is 0k, were my tasks during the first day and the following day, I show up late cause I was stuck in the traffic jam and Alhamdulillah, I was assigned to keep people away from the 5th floor and after that again went inside and ensure the audiences are aware of the prohibitions mentioned before.

I sat at the corner of the main auditorium upstairs and watching over the audiences to make sure everything is secured. I looked down, I can see Brother Maher Zain clearly and enjoyably sings the songs, and I start to ponder. The songs, it is all beautiful, the meaning, the message accompanied by the melody and beep of the musics. It smoulders one's feeling. But then again, I felt uneasy. I looked around again and I saw numbers of people singing so happily, but I wondered, do they really get the message behind the songs?. I am not prejudicing at them, but I am being concern here. I know people have been disputing, debating, confuting over this issue and I don't want to worsen this situation even more. I am a soft-hearted type of person, and I am easily touched when hearing people convey the message, when people say 'Allah', I feel like crying, I become so afraid cause I know, behind my back, I am carrying, tonnes of sins.

When people say, convey and utter the message of Allah, which I am eagerly do the same, I tend to drop some tears that I know there are people who have really something in common with me.I know they are a lot, even better than me, the Da'ie, people who extend the Da'wah. I am nothing but only a weak servant of Allah yet I am trying to do the same.

People clapping hands, singing all the way with the singer, praising Allah. I love it in fact I love Islamic songs as well as Sami Yusuf, Yusuf Islam, Zain Bikha, Ahmed Bukhatir, Muhammad Al-Husnayn and so much more. But, please, do not enjoy to much that you forgot that you shall feel scared when hearing and saying those words. I appreciate all endeavours of bringing Islam to its highest level. Allah will reward you all insyaAllah.

The experience being committee was really unforgettable and indescribable. The songs sang by In-Team, Aisyah and Maher Zain were all good and I am so proud of all artists for advising everyone to be closer to Allah and to keep away from Zina and not to forget the hosts, Brother Fetri, Sister Wardina Safiyyah and Sister Farra Adeeba.

In other respects, I love Sami Yusuf very much. Subhan Allah, your songs are really fantastic and full of Islamic and Humanity messages that you successfully portrayed that it is related and inseparable. If Allah's will, I would love to meet you Sami Yusuf, not because I am fanatic, but I love you that I want to hear your story, to inter-changeably share our experiences and for future planning. If not, then it is ok, I would not bawl insyaAllah that I believe Allah knows what is the best for His servants.

The journey is not going to end here, it is still moving on, and would not stop until this world breaks into pieces. So, while we still have times, let's go and repent to Allah swt, ask His forgiveness and refuge for everything bad that we had done throughout our life. Emulate Rasulullah SAW every single day of our life. Do not hesitate to act beautifully, say good words with Zikrullah, to put your forehead on the ground for the prayers, for always keep smiling whenever people insult you, to hug your brothers even they have different skin-colour, different shape of nose.

Jazakallah Maher Zain for coming.

"Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! (28) "
-Surah Al-Rad, ayat 28

Offer your hand with the believers and do not let them go but instead befriend with them so that the hands would still keep holding on until you and them enter the Jannah.

Wherever You Are - Sami Yusuf

2010-10-15T17:50:00.000+08:00

May Allah bless you for all the endeavours of spreading the message of Islam.

Maher Zain & IIUM

2010-10-09T18:42:00.017+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Subhan Allah, a lot of events had happened to me this past few days. Such unwavering dedication I shall express of my gratitude towards Allah swt for unstoppably keeps blessing us and showing us the way.

I am getting busier and insyaAllah, I just want to share with you guys one event that had happened to me which I believe has also occurred to the majority of Malaysia citizens.

I managed to meet Maher Zain. Yes, Maher Zain, the latest well-known famous Muslim Icon which has given such a huge impact in Muslim world. This beautiful Lebanese guy that ends up settled in Sweden with his family has enlightened numbers of Muslim from different ages to be closer to Allah swt and to have a strong faith towards Him regardless of time and places.

- Maher Zain, being interviewed by IKIM.fm -

Raudhatus Sakinah, an Islamic non-governmental organisation has invited Maher Zain as the special guest for their campaign, Save The Soul in helping them to curb numerous cases of moral problems such as teenage pregnancy, baby dumped, adultery, loafing around, clubbing and so and so forth. Maher Zain, without doubt, has beautifully portrayed the truth message of Islam in his songs which trembling the hearts of the hearers.

- Performing in IIUM -

International Islamic University Malaysia in collaboration with Student Representative Council IIUM took the opportunity to invite Maher Zain which eventually became his first appearance in Malaysia, to perform during the night of the concert Palestine Tomorrow Will Be Free which was held at Cultural Activity Centre (CAC), IIUM under the programme named CONVEST to celebrate all new fresh graduates that successfully completed their studies. Nonetheless, the concert was opened for all.

- My passion in journalism (; -

I queued after Solah 'Asar at the Banquet Hall, located inside the CAC at around 5:00pm to meet Maher Zain as I did not want to let go such opportunity to meet him. My Ummi and Sister also happened to be there together with me. Deeply inside I have bundle of questions to be asked to him but because of the time constrain, and the uncontrollable crowd especially women have caused the committee to limit only 1minute session with him. He came at 6:30pm and Alhamdulillah I shook hand with him and had a very short chat.

"Salamu'alaykum Maher Zain!, Man, I've been listening to your songs all this while and I love it so much."

He tilted his head up, and smiled.

" Wa'alaykumussalam, thank you."

" You are from? Lebanon right?"

" Yes, I'm from Lebanon."

"So any advice or any Du'a for me?"

"Yeah, be honest to yourself " and one more which I hardly remember.

"Are you going to sing any songs in Malay?"

"From now on not yet, insyaAllah soon."

After that all the guards and polices were asking me to go out cause I was the one who spent a little bit longer time with him.

"Thank you and see you, Barakallahufik."

He performed two songs which were InsyaAllah and Barakallahu Lakuma, during that night.

The impoliteness of the attitude of the majority Muslim ladies during that time albeit was really disappointing and humiliating. Maybe the ebullient feeling had made them to put aside the value of shyness that supposed to be infix and inculcated strongly in a woman. We need to contemplate and mull over the lyrics and messages sent to us and not to be amused with something that is unnecessary.

He is such a nice and kind person I can say, and to you Brother Maher Zain, I hope Allah will grant you Jannah for the endeavours of elevating Islam to its highest level and for people to not always grumble but to be thankful to Allah swt. By Allah, I love you.

Inni uhibbukka fillah abadan abada!.

Kul Amantu Billah Summa Istaqim

2010-10-09T18:13:00.004+08:00

"Kul, amantu billah suma Istaqim."

"Say you believe in Allah and then be steadfast by it."

عن أبي عمرو وقيل أبي عمرة سفيان بن عبد الله قال: قلت یا رسول الله! قل لي في

الإسلام قولا لا أسأل عنه أحد غيرك. قال : (( قل آمنت بالله ثم استقم )) رواه مسلم.

On the authority of Abu 'Amr, though others call him Abu 'Amrah Sufyan bin 'Abdullah, radiyallahu anhu, who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about save you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast."

[Muslim]

Bertudung labuh; Hinalah!, Herdiklah, Cacilah!

2010-10-06T08:24:00.005+08:00

Bertudung labuh; Hinalah!, Herdiklah, Cacilah!

Hinalah mereka!,
Hinalah mereka yang bertudung labuh!,
Hinalah mereka yang menutup aurat dengan sempurna,
Hinalah mereka Hamba Allah yang patuh!.

Hinalah mereka!,
Bertudung labuh hipokrit!,
Bertudung labuh hodoh!,
Bertudung labuh ketinggalan zaman!.

Herdiklah mereka!,
Hanya kerana mereka tunduk patuh kepada suruhan Allah!,
Sanggup mengenepikan nafsu yang membuak untuk memuaskan keinginan diri!,
Untuk tidak mendedahkan mahkota berharga buat tatapan nafsu si teruna.

Cacilah mereka,
Kerap kali tuduhan fitnah terus dicurahkan!,
Hanya kerana si dia bermaksiat, habis semuanya dikatakan sama!.
Stereotapsi sana sini!,
Teruskanlah!, mereka hanya ikhlas kerana Allah!.

Mereka sanggup!, sanggup berpanasan!,
Dikala teriknya matahari!,
Sanggup berpeluh hanya kerana kehadiran si dia bukan mahram!.
Memikirkan Allah dan Rasul lebih dari segalanya!.

Perlilah mereka!,
Dikatakan berlebih-lebihan menunjuk ke’aliman!,
Sedangkan mereka berusaha yang terbaik,
Tetapi dusta menjadi tafsiran!.

Satu demi satu tuduhan, hinaan, cacian saat mereka melangkah,
Mengumpat, memfitnah, mencela,
Dimanakah pergi erti kemanusiaan?
Atau lantangnya suara memekikan Amar Ma’ruf Nahi Mungkar?!,
Saat si dia melutut pada Allah, dikatakan lagak bagus!.

Dunia, dunia kini penuh dengan penipuan, kesombongan manusia!.
Kata-kata manis terus diekpresikan seindah bunyi siulan burung,
Tetapi realitinya busuk dan kotor,
Prioritinya dunia bukannya si Dia.

Hai mereka yang bertudung labuh,
jagalah akhlak mu! jangan kerana engkau seorang habis punah mereka yang lain,
janganlah engkau menganggap diri itu sempurna, luruskan niat mu!,
kerana Allah sayang pada mereka yang ikhlas dan taat pada SuruhanNya.

Hai mereka yang bertudung labuh!
Islam itu datangnya asing!,
kembalinya pun asing!,
beruntunglah kau saat kau diasingkan!,
kerana kelak kau akan diasingkan bersama Rasulullah didalam syurga!

Hai yang bertudung labuh,
Janganlah bersedih!. Janganlah berduka!.
Tabahkan hati, kuatkan Iman tingkatkan taqwa!,
Biarkan berapa banyak sekalipun longgokan manusia merendahkan anda,
Kerana ingat, disisi Allah, andalah yang tinggi dan mulia!.
Janji Allah itu pasti, dan dia Maha Menepati Janji.

-Sheikh Nabil Farabi Al-Syariff,
8:22am,
Perpustakaan Dar-ul-Hikmah, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Between Dream and Reality

2010-10-03T19:04:00.006+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, praise be to Allah swt for giving me chance once again to breath in this world and to seek His forgiveness for the future upcoming transcendental life.

Today I just want to share something with you guys, who practically reading this. Often we hear that everyone of us must have at least an ambition to be success in this life and most of the time it is all about something that we really want to be.

There are people who by faith, their liberation of choosing ambition has been deprived and purposely ascribed on them while there were born into this world. In Sociology studies, it is call hierarchical system which caused by the previous generation and you are forced to inherit all those deeds and sins that they have done. This leads to different class and status in the society which believes this so called divine teaching. Some just follow what their parents want them to be and do not really have a choice at all. If they rebel then they will be punished and some just could not careless at all about their future.

The question now is that, does Islam prohibits its followers to dream or to have an ambition?. It is something quite nature that we do want something to be achieved for our next phase of life. We dream, we plan, we execute, but does it really benefits our life at all?. At times we forgot that all those dreams and ambitions that we are infatuated with are fooling us and make us neglect the reality current world now, at this moment.

We tend to dream to have a big house filled with big family and exotic expensive cars with a swimming pool at the side of the house covered by lofty coconut trees and beautiful wife. We were castling in the air to be a Psychologist, richest person ever stepped on this earth, to be a great motivator, an engineer etc. but we forgot that in reality we do not even yet enhance our Iman and Taqwa towards Allah swt. Just like when we were busy dreaming to be rich while we do not even keep a cent. We tend to dream big that we become heedless of the lacking value of Islam, humanity and the sensibility of enjoining good and forbidding bad in our daily life.

Dreams often, too often fool us, to make us forget the closest thing that might happened to ourselves at any time. Yes, death. We dream and dream and we overlook something that much crucial than any other things in this world. Death comes at anytime, anywhere.

Islam does not prohibits you to dream or to have an ambition, but Islam urges its followers to always not forgot the reality and the actual purpose being put onto this world for the sake of the ultimate everlasting world soon after we leave this universe and there is no turn back.

We can dream, but do not just let it be dream, God does not give us the opportunity to dream without the ability of making it come true. Work for it.

"O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm."
- Surah Muhammad, Ayat (7)

A Muslim who has an ambition it is too serve Allah swt and to help this Ummah to rise again and be steadfast in His way.

* This is a reflection of me after reading a very beautiful unique Hadith in Riyadhus Solihin shared by an Akh that really like an eyeopener. I am trying my best to find the Hadith mentioned in the Internet.

Let's Start Healing

Price Of The Knowledge

2010-09-27T18:22:00.003+08:00

"Babah, there is this one conference regarding Riba', can I go?"

"Oh, when is it?"

"InsyaAllah, if I am not mistaken next month I guess, but its ok la Babah, it is too expensive, la ba'sa."

"La, tak pa la, it is good for you especially when you are at this stage of youth, you should go."

"Tau, tapi Nabil rasa mahal sangat, I love intellectual discussion, tapi Babah, mahal."

"Jangan lihat ilmu pada harganya, grab all the knowledge that Allah has given to you."

**************************************

" Ummi, mahal nak pergi conference dekat IKIM, tapi interesting, discussing about Human rights from Islam perspectives and other religion's point of view."

"Tak pa, pergi."

"Tapi, mahal sangat, Nabil tak biasa mahal-mahal ni. "

"Nabil, ilmu tu penting jangan risau, kalau benda baik, you don't worry, Babah and Ummi will support you."

That were the conversation between me, my Babah and Ummi. The conference about Riba' is coming and the one that I illustrated about Human Rights has passed already and I didn't manage to attend.

I know knowledge is important, but when it is too expensive, I become so worried, and uncomfortable because I know, I am not a guy who when he snaps his finger, here come the money falling down from the sky.

Babah and Ummi, I will strive to learn and Jihad in His way don't worry and I know Babah and Ummi would never stop praying for me and all other siblings. We love you ya Walid ya Ummi!.

'Eid Tour

2010-09-26T18:22:00.003+08:00

Assalamu'alaykum,

Subhan Allah, yesterday was really great. Me and all my friends from International Islamic University Malaysia had a tour of 'Eid visiting from Cheras -Shafiq's house- to Subang Jaya - Yushairi's house- to Ukay Perdana -Syed Muhajjir's house- and Taman Permata -mine-.

Traffic was terribly congested and Alhamdulillah managed to fill up the times by getting know better about my friends and listening to the recitation of Al-Qur'an once in a while that was aired by Ikim.fm (frequency modulation).

Some said that a picture worth a thousand words.

Jazakumullah Khaidir Kamaruzzaman, Izzudin, Syafiq Si, Shafiq Affandi, Ahmad Afifi, Ahmad Hafizan, Aliff, Syed Muhajjir, Izzat Hazwan. May Allah bless us all, Amiin.

Life Tribulation

2010-09-23T18:34:00.004+08:00

"Then out spake two of those who feared (their Lord, men) unto whom Allah had been gracious: Enter in upon them by the gate, for if ye enter by it, lo! ye will be victorious. So put your trust (in Allah) if ye are indeed believers."
-Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 23

Subhan Allah, I found this verse rather enlightening in the midst of me encountering so many difficulties particularly now. Masha Allah, the pains are so abstract that I hardly put it on words and the feeling of in need for Allah swt is indispensable.

The longer you live in this world, the more difficulties you will be facing and it is when you are tested only you know how strong your faith is towards Allah swt. How truthful you are. Because Akhi wa Ukht, no matter how great you are, how you convey such beautiful words of Islam, how you have been giving such edifying speech, it is all come to you back whether or not you practice everything that you have said.

Alhamdulillah, I am still standing strong here. Insya Allah, I will. If I were about to compare my difficulty with Prophet Muhammad Sallahu'alaihi Wasallam, it is mismatched and incomparable. We are only tested by Allah swt a very small microscopic problem yet we often rave and bawl. Do not do that my dear Brothers and Sisters, believe me, it is not when you are demanding and asking something to Allah swt, it is when you are working and believe in Allah swt.

After all, Allah will not ask you the results that you get nor He will grade you, but He will see your efforts in finding solution and how did you devote yourself wholeheartedly towards Him, Rabbul Izzati.

It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him), who observed:

"I asked Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which deed was the best." He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'The Prayer at its appointed hour.' I (again) asked: "Then what?" He (the Holy Prophet) replied: 'Kindness to the parents.' I (again) asked: "Then what?" He replied: 'Earnest struggle (Jihad) in the cause of Allah.' I refrained from asking any more questions for fear of annoying him. (Sahih Muslim: 120)

"And Allah loves as-Sabirun (the patient)."
Surah Ali-Imran Ayat146