day 30

Assalamu’alaykum. We’re a day away from welcoming Syawal and I’m overwhelmed. There are so many events and uncountable revelations to share but I do not know where to begin. This Ramadan has, in many ways benefited me as a servant. May Allah accept our dua and keep us under His grace.

Translation

I was determined to understand the quran for this Ramadan. To be liberated. To absorb His kalam more than just to recite. It was a struggle to find a book that speaks to me - I’m proud of my heritage but english has helped me unravel the writer that I aspire to be. Alhamdulillah, with ease I was introduced to the english translation by M.A.S Abdeel Haleem. This book is available at Kinokuniya if you’re interested to get one.

“You may dislike something although it is good for you, or like something although it is bad for you. God knows and you do not,” 2:215.

It was first made known to me by mom. I remember I was in the states, figuring out my trembling heart and mom posted this on my Facebook wall. In writing, when you state out ‘something’ to complete your sentence, it makes up a weak argument. You must explain. In His kalam, it speaks to each of us - individually. It refers to what your heart longs for or why most of us are standing at a junction.

Surely when you leave it to Allah and lillahi ta’ala, you take a step forward with faith. You put your faith in Him and you believe that inshaallah He takes into account your intention and action. With so many calamities overwhelming us, it was enlightening how Mufti Menk reasons it out that these are all His tests, not a form of punishment.

Make dua. I never knew about qunut nazilah, I know now. Make dua, it is the quiet time when you kneel down to Him and ask for His forgiveness, His blessings, His guidance and His grace that matter. We are blessed with technology and everything is at our fingertips but how has this advancement justified the servant that we are? We are accountable for every action, speech and all that we do. How has the dua-status that you posted benefited you?

“Whatever you may say aloud, He knows what you keep secret and what is even more hidden,” 20: 7.

Pray for yourself. Make dua for your parents. Sadaqah your prayers to those in need.

Reflection

I spent a day with a group of orphanage at Sabak Bernam. It was not my first time volunteering but it was my first time observing volunteers. It was also my first time helping out as an organizer for a one-day program. Allah is great, He has always held my hands without my knowing. My two beautiful friends were there with me, whom I know are treasures sent by Him. He also grants me with a man who’s worthy of my journey.

That experience reminds me of how doing good, lillahi ta’ala will always has its challenges. With different upbringing and background, your maturity to carry out responsibilities stands by you. Some people do it for the fame, some just beautifully love helping. When we always refer these kids as the less fortunate, this Ramadan, I bear witness that they are more fortunate than I am.

xxx

Before you "share" your good news, consider this:

You know that feeling when something amazing happens to you and you cant wait to share it with the world? Learn to wait. Here’s why:

1. When any good news came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa salam) or if a calamity had been averted, he would immediately fall in prostration (sajdatul shukr) and thank Allah for it. This is a beautiful sunnah that should be practiced all the time and not just for major occasions like graduations, new homes, etc.

2. Take a few moments to really deeply say al hamdulila from the depths of your heart. That will be a form of maintaining that blessing as Allah will see your sincere gratitude.

3. Some of the scholars say that one of the reasons Allah did not allow Zakariyya (alayhis salam) to speak for 3 days except for words of praise was to bestow a greater appreciation of the blessing upon him. Al Baghawi (ra) said that is because sometimes when you speak about your blessings to others immediately, you lose yourself in your excitement.

So from now on when something good happens to you, hold off on the phone call, text, email, or status. Say takbeer, go into prostration, say subhana rabbi al a’ala the way you do in your prostration in prayer, AND add a personal note of dua and thanks to Allah from the depths of your heart before you rise.

- Omar Suleiman

xxx

Kullu am wa antum bikhair. Selamat hari raya.

make dua

I don’t have the money in the world to support my brothers and sisters in Gaza but inshaallah, I have my words the very least to create awareness; to invite all of you to make dua, to open up your minds, to start taking actions in your own capacity, to do what you can to help and to not be ignorant.

You have no one else to blame but yourself if your response towards the current situation in Gaza is “I don’t know what’s happening”. The use of social media varies from one user to another but I am here to encourage you to expand its use beyond making friends. You are not five nor are you 10 years old. Kids as young as two years old were killed. What justification do we have to our creator for being ignorant?

I was never into boycotting. I was just ignorant. I was in denial. I did not make any dua. I read but I never understood. I am ashamed of myself. Now, I’m making a plea, in retribution of my personal ignorance, let’s read and understand what is going on. Read and understand before you make any statement, before you make any judgment and before you decide to be ignorant.

This is a good month to inculcate good habits. Let’s do this together. Instead of reading BuzzFeed, subscribe to Viva Palestina Malaysia and if English tires you, there’s Aqsa Syarif. If you don’t enjoy reading, there are so many videos that you can watch.

xxx

“Please do not get desensitized by the images and the numbers of people being murdered in Gaza. That kid whose leg got cut off could’ve been your son. That man who lost his eye could’ve been your father. That lady who is currently suffering from mental disorders could’ve been your mother. That young female who was burned to death could’ve been your wife.

Well guess what, that boy is someone’s son. That man is someone’s father. That lady is someone’s mother. And that young female is someone’s love.

But not because you only see increasing numbers and pictures, it means it’s not a big deal anymore. I wish you guys can see my personal Facebook. My cousins are sharing pictures of their best friends who were killed. The situation is very depressing. So it hurts me when I read people’s comments saying they’ve gotten used to it. Just because you don’t know them, it doesn’t mean you should accept such a genocide by Israel.

I don’t know the people who are dying in Syria and Burma. But I love them. I care for them. They are my honour. A Syrian woman’s dignity is part of my dignity. Islam comes before blood; that’s what the Prophet taught us.”

Mohammed Zeyara - is on Facebook.

xxx

Make dua. Make dua and talk to Allah.

it's ok

it’s ok if they don’t understand why
it’s ok if they are superior than your purpose
it’s ok if they criticize blindly
it’s ok if they let you down
it’s ok if they limit your perception
to justify their ignorance

it’s ok if they parade your pride
it’s ok if they are your family
it’s ok if they are your friends

i read the other day, nothing lasts but Him
hang onto eternal, not material
it’s ok.
it has always been between you and Him

Day 5

As-salam

Some nights I woke up to terrible fears and drenched with distasteful insights. Those nights I’d hit myself hard and switch on the silver-lining button. To quickly gather my sense and belonging to this world then justify my means to His hereafter - all that in wee hours of the night, I was always almost convinced that the room is make-believe.

I’ve been looking for a translation that is close to my heart. It is not because I’m ignorant of my origin but it is only because I need what speaks to me. I’ve kept it low to most but to some who understand, I push my search further.

Thanks to a friend, I’ve settled for one. Tonight, this unforeseen awaken brought me to finally reading it. Too lost for words, I’m recommending this version to those who are looking for an English translation of the Quran. Read and understand in a language that brings you closer to Him. "...He could take away their hearing and sight: God has power over everything." (2:20)

Lillahi ta’ala, Mufti Menk kept reminding us that evening. He felt that we, volunteers are deserving of his time. The 30-minute speech turned to an hour and I left the room speechless. So many wisdoms, unwritten, “Believe in Allah and believe that what you believe in is lillahi ta’ala,” he said. 

So many sharing, unspoken, “You have to humble yourself down. You must keep reminding yourself that what you do i.e. volunteering is lillahi ta’ala,” he said. “If you do it because of me, then leave”.