Adventure Saturday!

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

Although it was a long, hot and humid day, I seemed to get alot of things done and 2/3 of it was spent on ibadah. Alhamdulillah...

Speaking of Alhamdulillah... today me and Hubtobe were exploring mosques and chanced upon Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, near Havelock Road and it is so beautiful and so clean and so comfortable... almost like my other favourite mosque- Abdul Hamid Mosque. Oh yeah, and when I entered the female prayer room and saw that it was fully air conditioned, I smsed Hubtobe and said 'Hurray!' to which he chided me "Mane keSyukuran? Bukan cakap Hurray..." (where's your sense of gratefulness... not say hurray)

Ooops... I was just so happy and excited that I was going to enjoy peace and quiet in a comfortable mosque that I forgot for a moment. Apparently they've revamped the place and it looks really lovely now. Here's a photo I took from Wikipedia:



Prior to our visit to this mosque, we went to Funan to get Hubtobe's antivirus for his computer. It's been quite some time since we walked in town and especially now that it's Ramadan, walking in town isn't such a good thing. Hubtobe mentioned that town is not really a muslim-friendly place. Yes there is Al-Falah mosque and other musollah's here and there but the people who crowd the streets can really challenge one's iman.

I think for him, he has to lower his gaze more than I do because the women on the streets are quite scantily clad at times and it's hard to keep your eyes on the floor especially in a crowded area. Unlike me, I'm quite oblivious to my surroundings at times. Heh heh.

Well... that aside... I'm so happy I finally got a new foundation powder, eyeliner and lipstick (basic makeup really). I seem to have lost mine somehow. Hubtobe helped to choose the lipstick colour. He was so funny and so choosy! I prefered the neutral tones but he said he wanted something red and an image of a pin-up girl came to my head. But eventually we compromised to a colour called chestnut that was a mix of reddish brown. =)

Alright, to top it all, we did terawih at Masjid Sultan... it was lovely... The second Imam drove me to tears. Well... sniffles more like it. I was touched by his rendition of the surahs. He sounded like the Imam from Al-Khair though. Plus Masjid Sultan is spacious and it wasn't so crowded. I know its best if the mosque is filled to the brim... but sometimes I appreciate some space too... coz we always end up sitting on each other's feet during tahiyat akhir. -laughs-

Well... a day with Hubtobe is always a day well spent and although I'm really tired from all the walking and standing, I am grateful that Allah has given me the strength and the health to still persevere through the day. Alhamdullillah.

Also, at the end of the day, I know you know, Lihub Billah...

Terawih Prayers!

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

Alhamdulillah, we've made it through the first day of Ramadhan. Allah had been kind and merciful to us for making it a cool breezy and rainy day, making it easier to get through the day.

But today is very hot and even though I am indoors, there's alot of work to do! Laundry, cleaning up the cupboards and finally, checking emails and writing an entry. Heh heh.

Well, today I want to write about my first terawih prayer for the year.

Unlike many people, I do my first two weeks of terawih at my ustad and ustazah's house and over the years, they have become very like family to me and my family. Its been over 10 years since we've known them and alhamdulillah, I am still learning something new from them each week.

Terawih prayers when I was younger was more fun because ustad and ustazah's kids were still young and we'd all pray together, along with our other friends. But now that we're all grown up, it is very hard to get all the kids together. But, at least the youngest two and the eldest are still around.

Terawih prayers at their house is always very meaningful to me because I see a father who has raised 7 children as a sole breadwinner and yet, very humble and simple. Their house is simple and the most important part of the house is the hall because that's where it's most spacious for prayers. =) On one side of the wall, there are books on religion and alot of Qurans. It's actually very beautiful and like I said before, I am going to buy more books to make a library like that.

Well, but on weekends, I hope to ask Hubtobe to let me follow him to terawih.

This year, I am hoping to go for the Qiyamul Layl. I'm not sure how possible is that, considering that the last week of Ramadan is my first week of school... but I will try my best, insyaallah.

Oh yes, and I am going for that forum on knowledge at Sultan Mosque! I am so excited!

Welcoming the Month of Ramadan; Happy Husband and Wife

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

These days when I go on facebook, I visit pages which help me to become a better muslimah and refrain from engaging in the gossip and bad talking which is rampant in some of my circles. I am trying to close off that connection and only look to the good ones in hopes to establish a better self in the name of Allah.


Happy Muslim Husband and Wife is one of the pages which I do visit. Although it is aimed at those who are already married, it also touches on other aspects of life such as Ramadan, Women's rights in islam and also tips on how to make a better relationship with your spouse and family. Even if you're not married yet, I think the page provides a wonderful source of information as well as a network of people to whom you can seek knowledge and advice from.

At the same time, there's also the Ideal Muslimah which is another place I visit, along with Daily Reminders. And last of all... Without Allah, I am nothing. =)

But today, I want to share something I read about Ramadhan from Happy Muslim Husband and Wife. I took this from their page, so all credits to them:

Welcoming the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is derived from ramdaa' which means "sun-baked," perhaps a reference to the pangs of fasting.

Anas (r) said that when the month of Ramadan came the Prophet (s) said: "Glory to Allah! What are you facing now! What is coming ahead!" `Umar ibn al-Khattab (r) said: "My father's life for you, and my mother's! O Prophet of Allah, what is it? Did you receive revelation, or is an enemy coming?" He replied: "No, but the month of Ramadan has come, in which Allah forgives all the people of this Community." He also said: "If Allah's servants knew what Ramadan was, they would have wished it lasted for the whole year."

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an is a time of tremendous blessings and the gate of repentance and return to Allah.

The Prophet (s) also said: "The month of Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month for the duration of which Allah has prescribed fasting for you. In it the gates of the heaven are open and the gates of Gehenna are shut." Another version adds: "And devils are put in chains."

The Prophet (s) named fasting "the poor-tax of the body" (zakat al-jasad) and he named it "a shield" (al-siyamu junnah) and also "half of restraint" (al-sabru nisfu al-sawm), and he named restraint "pure light" (al-sabru diya'). When asked who were the wanderers in the verse:

التَّائِبُونَ الْعَابِدُونَ الْحَامِدُونَ السَّائِحُونَ الرَّاكِعُونَ السَّاجِدونَ الآمِرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللّهِ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Those that turn to Allah in repentance;
that serve Him, and praise Him;
that wander in devotion to His cause (al-sa'ihun);
that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer;
that enjoin good and forbid evil;
and observe the limits set by Allah --
these do rejoice!
So proclaim the glad tidings to the believers. (9:112)

The Prophet (s) said: "The wanderers in the cause of Allah (al-sa'ihun) are those who fast" (hum al-sa'imun). Thus a true dervish fasts, and many of the great shaykhs said that the path consists in hunger. The Prophet (s) also said: "There is no conceit in fasting."

The month of Ramadan is a tremendous witness on the Day of the judgment, and the Prophet (s) said: "I declare myself clear of them whose detractor is Ramadan." It brings immense rewards as he said: "Those who fast the month of Ramadan believing (in Allah and his Messenger) and seeking a reward, all their past sins are forgiven." Another version adds: "and pray (the voluntary night-prayer) in it" and in the end: "he comes out of his sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him."

According to the Companion `Ubadah ibn al-Samit the Prophet (s) used to say upon entering this month:

Allahumma sallimnee li ramadana wa sallim ramadana
wa sallimhu minnee mutaqabbilan.

"O Allah, greet and save me for Ramadan; greet and save Ramadan;
greet and save Ramadan on my behalf, and grant me its acceptance."

Wisdom Behind Fasting- The purpose of Fasting

Firstly we must note that one of the names of Allah is al-Hakim (the Most Wise). The word Hakim is derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise and perfect.

Secondly: Allah does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from us.

Thirdly: Allah has mentioned the reason and wisdom behind His enjoining of fasting upon us, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)

[Noble Quran 2:183]

Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety, being conscious of Allah), and taqwa means doing that which Allah has enjoined and avoiding that which He has forbidden.

Fasting is one of the greatest means of helping a person to fulfill the commands of Islam.

The scholars have mentioned some of the reasons why fasting is prescribed, all of which are characteristics of taqwa, but there is nothing wrong with quoting them here, to draw the attention of fasting people to them and make them keen to attain them.

Among the reasons behind fasting are:-

Fasting is a means that makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. For fasting means giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. By giving them up for a short time, we begin to appreciate their value. Because the blessings of Allah are not recognized, but when you abstain from them, you begin to recognize them, so this motivates you to be grateful for them.

Fasting is a means of giving up haram things, because if a person can give up halal things in order to please Allah and for fear of His painful torment, then he will be more likely to refrain from haram things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that Allah has forbidden.

Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. Hence the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one's chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.

Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when the fasting person tastes the pain of hunger for a while, he remembers those who are in this situation all the time, so he will hasten to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards them. So fasting is a means of feeling empathy with the poor.

Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytan; it weakens the effects of his whispers (waswaas) on a person and reduces his sins. That is because the Shaytan "flows through the son of Adam like blood as the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytan flows, so his influence grows less.

[Shaykh al-Islam said in Majmu' al-Fatawa, 25/246


Undoubtedly blood is created from food and drink, so when a person eats and drinks, the passages through which the devils flow - which is the blood - become wide. But if a person fasts, the passages through which the devils flow become narrow, so hearts are motivated to do good deeds, and to give up evil deeds.

The fasting person is training himself to remember that Allah is always watching, so he gives up the things that he desires even though he is able to take them, because he knows that Allah can see him.

Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and its desires, and seeking that which is with Allah.

It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship and gets used to that.

These are some of the reasons why fasting is enjoined. We ask Allah to help us to achieve them and to worship Him properly.

And Allah knows best.

Alhamdulillah, it's Ramadhan...

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

Alhamdulillah... Ramadhan is here again.

I am thankful to Allah for the health that He has given to me and my family as well as the kindness and rezeki that He has blessed us with.

I am a little sad that I am unable to go for terawih today but insyaallah, I will be able to do so tomorrow.

Right now, I believe the spirits of the deceased are let free from their punishments in the grave and I know they are grateful for the 1 month of solace... and they will come to see us... to see if we still remember them; if we are children with iman or are we lost and break their heart... Someday after I'm gone, I will experience the same thing as well... and I pray that I will see my children and their children always remembering Allah...

May we be given the health and longevity to face the coming Ramadhan, for it will test our will power and iman to the greatest. I am thankful that this month is finally here.

Amin

Forgive me...

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

I begin this entry with a bismillah... for I know that He always hears us- all that we say and all that we don't say. Only He understands the silences and understands all that we cannot hear.

Tomorrow is the start of Ramadhan... and I begin this holy month with a heavy heart... a heart laden with guilt, shame and sins. May Allah give me the strength to endure this magnificent month of Ramadhan... may He be most forgiving and merciful to His servants' pleas...

Today had been a long and painful day for me and my family... and it was very hard for me to emerge out of the disappointment realizing two things:

1) Allah has answered our prayers... He has kept my brother safe... He has protected him from harm and because I believe in Allah, I trust that He has willed this to happen to guide my brother back to the right path.

2) That my parents have to be stronger to be able to understand the above and not simply see His doings as a block in a person's lifetime. There is no trust in Allah... and no belief that He is the one most capable of showing to us all what is the right path... every difficulty He gave us is a lesson for us all... But did my parents get what that lesson was?

The lesson was that... we as the elders... as the guardians did not pray enough... for ourselves and for our loved ones... we did not doa enough and did not fear Allah enough... And our greatest mistake was that we did not guide him enough... Allah has given us the responsibility to guide and teach our young but we did not do it enough. But that is not to say that Allah is hard to please... He sees our efforts and I am sure He acknowledges them but He wants us to be better muslims and muslimahs... He is giving us the chance to increase our iman and our love for Him... so we should take it.

That is why when I saw my brother today, I did not scold him or beat him... neither did I cry... instead I asked if he has eaten and that he should sleep and rest until he's ready to talk.

Maybe now I understand that dream I had two days ago... when I was cradling a young boy (who looked like Aang by the way) and someone said I was spoiling him... but the boy was crying... and I still held him close even when I know he had done something bad... because I guess you will begin to see and understand problems and their solutions when you love a little more... in the name of Allah...

Therefore... I am sorry my little brother for I have not loved you enough... and I had not guided you enough... I thought that by showing you the things me and your brother do for Allah, you would be motivated to emulate them... but I guess I was wrong. So I will try... to reach out to you, as I have promised Him last night when I prayed that He'd keep you safe from harm.

Ya Allah, I am grateful that you have been kind and merciful to us and kept my brother safe... and for giving him the chance to return to the right path.

Amin.

Wallahualam Bissawab...