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.