Solution to Poverty and the Global Crises

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

Today in class we were supposed to think of solutions to the global crises that plague the world today. Most of these include people living in Third World developing countries who survive on less than $1-2 a day. These countries are also subjected to a debt regime in which the only way for their government to borrow money from IMF or the World Bank is at exorbitant interest rates and also with strict conditions for use.

These countries then become entrenched in debt because the money that they earn from their GDP is usually used to repay back ONLY the interest rates... and then they have to borrow more money to repay their previous loans... and they don't have any left to invest into their economy.

So it came as a surprise to me when one of my non-Muslim classmates suggested that the world should follow the Islamic Banking way of loans and business partnerships. He was then second by my Professor who is also a Muslim, who said that Islamic Banking practices take a shared responsibility approach with business entrepreneurs. As such, they do profit and lose together with their business partners.

It struck me then at that moment that if right from the start, we had followed the Islamic way of life; follow their banking system, their political system and everything... life would be more peaceful. Our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w had given us all the solutions to the problems that would come after his death and yet we are blinded and unguided in our practices.

Islam is NOT backwards neither is it progressive. What I mean is that it is always constant and applicable till the end of time. If only we stop to think and remember Him and his prophets.

GATHERING THE RAINDROPS

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

A friend of mine sent me this email and I thought I'd share it here. =)

GATHERING THE RAINDROPS

This is so unfair. I keep up with my salah and try my best to not get annoyed with people around me. I help my friends and family without asking anything in return. Alhamdulillah, I'm better off than so many others. I'm not asking to be in euphoria, but am I so wrong for wanting things to go right for once?

Whenever I pray, I make duaa for myself and my loved ones. The next thing I know, the prayers I made for others are answered Alhamdulillah.

But what about my own struggles? It is bittersweet seeing everyone around me relieved while I am suffering.

"Selfish" and "jealous" are the first words that "I" tell "me" when I get over my moment of frustration. I remind myself that Allah will not put me in a situation that I cannot handle. I tell myself that another person's good fortune does not diminish my good fortune or potential for increased blessings, so I should not feel despondent when I see others in a good state while I am in a not-so-good state.

The hardships we go through, financial, social, or emotional, are all a test from Allah. It was reported by Tirmithi that the Prophet (PBUH), said: "If Allah loves a people, He tests them."

We need to be patient in the face of our trials. Patience is more than tapping our feet while waiting in line, or smiling on the outside while churning up negative thoughts. Patience is part of tawakkul, reliance on Allah.

Patience is refusing to sink into despair in the face of obstacles. Patience is staying clam when every fiber of your being is telling you to panic. Patience is saying Alhamdulillah when we are sad.

We may not see it, but expressions such as "Ugh, not again!" or "Why me?" or "This is always my luck!" are very egotistical and come from a place of arrogance. It is as if we think that we are so perfect, so deserving that we should be able to demand an easy, stress-free life. But that is missing the point. We are tested with hardships in this life so that we may return to Allah with a faith much stronger than before, and at a higher stations.

Prophet Ayoub (Job) is the exemplary figure of a patient servant of Allah. After he was tested with the loss of his wealth and the death of his children, Satan came to him in the form of a man offering his sympathies, hoping that Prophet Ayyub would become angry with Allah: "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers."

Prophet Ayyub replied: "Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator."

This is the backbone of life. Plants cannot grow unless the rain falls. Ice cold water will never be refreshing if we never got tried in the sun. As one of my favorite quotes says:

"Hardships make us strong. Problems give birth to wisdom. Sorrows cultivate compassion. Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest." When we are faced with difficulties, we should make the best of them and remind ourselves that nothing is possible without the mercy of Al-Basit (The Expander).

When Prophet Ayyub was taking a bath, a group of locusts fell on him. Instead of reacting with irritation, he gathered them in his garment (they are a delicacy among some peoples). Allah called to him and said: "Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?" He said: "Yes, O Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings" (Bukhari).

When the rain falls don’t complain. Catch the droplets on your tongue and praise Allah for His blessings.

(Courtesy: Al Jumuah Magazine)
 

Remember us when we are frail and weak...

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

In my previous entry I talked about children... and now I want to talk about elderly. These two groups of people are at the extremes of the continuum of life and as such, they represent the group that needs the most love and delicate care...

Today, my mother told me to be prepared that my grandmother would be staying with us soon. In fact, we have been preparing for it- we're painting the walls and re-arranging the furniture to make space for her. We are all expected to accommodate, although we know what additional strains and costs it would mean but we do not mind. I for one, do not see her as a burden, but as a blessing in disguise for her prayers are more valuable than ours and Allah might shower us with more rezeki. Insyaallah.

As such, it makes me very sad indeed when my other relatives seem to consider her a real burden and keep shifting all the responsibilities around... even their children are selfishly hanging to their comforts and refuse to sacrifice to allow an old woman some space. It hurts me deeply and I don't know if feeling angry at them is the right emotion... for sometimes I do feel pity for them for they do not see that their actions do not please Him.

We quietly wait for her arrival soon. Oh Allah, grant us all the strength to take care of her and grant us all health to make this possible. Amin.

Having Children

"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.
He creates what He wills.
He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills,
and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills.
Ash-Shura 42:49

An ex-colleague of mine just gave birth a few days ago just slightly after subuh, to a healthy baby boy. The baby has his father's eyes and his mother's dimples. So young already smiling for the camera! I pray that they raise him to be a good Muslim. Insyaallah.

I was telling Hubtobe how amazing it is that a baby of about the length of your arm could fit inside a woman's body. Not to mention that my ex-colleague has a very very small frame. I remembered how she had fallen sick when her body was stretching her beyond her ability to take the pain. But Hubtobe says that all those are God's secrets. Yes, that's true... and that's why it is marvelous.

Sometimes I am scared of children; the idea of carrying them around and then the pain of delivering them... and then the heartache when you raise them and they talk back to you [and I would know]. But I guess all these are just a part of the trials that Allah has set for us Muslims. Here's a good link.

To quote from that website, it says:

Muslims are frequently tested by Allah s.w.t. Your children are a test or trial for you, and your actions or lack of actions will be judged by Allah swt alone.  Do not raise your child simply based on what your family or peers thinks you should do. Do not fear the judgment of mankind, but of Allah, s.w.t., alone.

My most favourite is perhaps this-

Allah's Messenger said, "The believing man or woman continues to have affliction in person, property and children so that they may finally meet Allah, free from sin." (Tirmidhi)

One can only pray that parents have raised their children to the best of their abilities... but children... when you grow up and begin to learn, do not blame your parents if they have brought you up wrong... but seek to learn more about the truth so that you do not repeat your parents' mistakes.

A simpson take on PhDs and Grad students

 "In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"

In this hilarious clip, the Simpsons show some of the ideas that people have about grad students and PhD students. It's a sad but true phenomenon and it's something that I should keep in mind too.

However, in Singapore, it is almost the opposite mentality. Grad students are coveted (of course in the right fields) but sometimes they can be seen as too 'expensive' commodities in the labour market.

Nevertheless, it's something worth remembering about our quest to seek knowledge... and that's why I'm putting up this link. Education should be pursued in itself and not because of other material rewards it may bring. Remember always that rezeki is from Allah and He chooses to give it to whomever He wants.

The Simpsons - Comments about PhDs and Grad Students. [HQ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XViCOAu6UC0&feature=related