Is it crystal-clear or rose-tinted?

of p.ramlee, expensive juice and high culture

2008-05-27T10:00:00.002+08:00

Salaam,

This is an off the beat topic that i would like to rant.

Last 2 weeks, i went to watch P.Ramlee the musical with my parents. They've never been to Esplanade so that time was their first time going to the performing arts centre.

P. Ramlee the Musical is a really good show. Worth ur money with good casts (HUGE talents, masyaAllah) good sets, good directions.

But really, the musical did set me on thinking mode.

(not to be disrespectful of the Almarhum) A man is a man, with limits. No one is perfect. His great talents (singing, playing all types of musical instruments, acting, directing, composing, masyaAllah, this man is almost the renaissance man of the 50s/60s) does not save him from the troubles of his personal life (married 3x divorced 2x). People admire him, some may even be jealous of him. But what struck me was that Allah is so fair. He gives abilities to people yet at the same time these abilities do not translate to success in life (whatever success means to you). Yes he was successful at first, but during the last few years of his life, things went downhill.
Hence the lesson i gathered here is that, sometimes, we may wish to be like the other person who is considered more talented, more wealthy, more loved, more beautiful, more everything. However, take a second (or more) to think that these people do have tests in their life too. Life on this Dunya is not free from trials and tribulations. Even success is a test. Good life is a test. Beauty is a test. Talent is a test.
So if we do come across thoughts like "Omagawd she's like super talented and pretty, everyone likes her. Im like soooo frigging jealous". Stop. Reflect. Say astaghfirullah and say MasyaAllah (What Allah wishes). Coz whatever that is good comes from your Lord, and that He does as He pleases (to test His creations). Wallahu'alam.

Basically this is a reminder for me. And May Allah guide us to the straight path. Ameen.

The Orion Express

2008-05-27T09:27:00.003+08:00

NTU Muslim Society is calling ALL ALUMNI to come over to Nanyang Audi to have a reuinion dinner!! wee!! okies..

when: 31st May 2008 @1845 (maghrib inclusive)

where: Nanyang Auditorium

how much: $45

more details @ http://theorionexpress.blogspot.com/

QUESTIONS

2008-05-14T02:43:00.003+08:00

WE YOUTHS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

u know why?

coz we have the

ENERGY

TIME

IDEAS

RESOURCES

but seriously are we looking into ourselves first before embarking on this SAVE THE WORLD MISSION?

we may have those things but are we making full use of them?

are we those apathetic ones who are happy being passively active?

are we too occupied with our teenage issues that grappled our attention away from the more serious matters?

are we making ourselves better people so that others can lead a better life?

are we too influenced by the MTV culture that what matters to us is what we wear, how we look, why people judge?

are we victims of mass consumption?

are we in tuned with our spritual side?

are we consumed by the thought that freedom is the ability to do whatever we think is cool?

are we afraid to voice out?

are we judgemental of others that don't look like us?

are we craving for attention that we resort unhealthy habits?

are we having thoughts that life is hard when other people have harder lives?

are we?

in constant search

2008-05-14T01:55:00.003+08:00

i am in constant search for knowledge.my knowledge is less than the drop of water from a pinhead lifted from the vast oceans and seas. isn't it interesting to see that no matter how much one claims to be knowledgeable there are still many areas one cannot grasp. for Allah is the only one who is Al-'Alim (The Knower of All).

i am in constant search for the best. the best to improve myself; mind, heart ,soul and body. isn't it interesting to see that no matter how we try to be the best, we will never be the best(efforts are not wasted insyaAllah)? and sometimes we think what's best for us isnt the truly the best for us? for Allah is the only one who is Al-Kabeer (The Greatest).

i am in constant search for patience. patience from tests and tribulations. patience from anxieties and evil whispers. patience from every little things that make me tick. ya Allah please grant me patience, ameen for You, ya Allah You are the one who is with as-sabirun.

i guess life is the continous search. the search so that one can grow. the search to do and encourage good while forbiding evil. the search to attain Jannah finally. for me, im in a continuous search for His Mardhatillah. for i am created with a purpose. and that purpose is to worship none but He.

He consoled me

2008-04-29T19:25:00.004+08:00

Salam Alaykum...

I ended my exams. yesterday.
I wasnt happy with my paper.

I've studied so hard. I checked my niyaat.

but i just cannot remember my stuffs.

couldnt answer the questions.

i answered nonsense.

what did i do wrong? take a few breather.

Astagfirullah.

Tried to remember the details.

I couldnt.

I felt so dumbed by the questions. i dropped a few tears.

"put ur pens down" waited for the papers to be collected.

im such a failure.

i on my mobile.

and i received a message. it read,

"Ayat of the week: 'But as 4 those who strive hard in Our cause- We shall most certainly guide them onto the paths that lead unto Us; for behold, God is indeed with the doers of good (AlAnkabut:69)' Learning is an ibadah,so if u feel down after the exams ,fret not coz Allah is always with u.InsyaAllah.Wat's impt is uve made the best effort, n lets leave d rest to Him, K?"

i cried some more. but this time its the cry of hope.

Baby It's All Good

2008-03-23T15:23:00.004+08:00

Baby, it's all good! -- A modern hijab poem

What do you see when you look at me

Do you see someone limited, or someone free

All some people can do is just look and stare

Simply because they can't see my hair

Others think I am controlled and uneducated

They think that I am limited and un-liberated

They are so thankful that they are not me

Because they would like to remain 'free'

Well free isn't exactly the word I would've used

Describing women who are cheated on and abused

They think that I do not have opinions or voice

They think that being hooded isn't my choice

They think that the hood makes me look caged

That my husband or dad are totally outraged

All they can do is look at me in fear

And in my eye there is a tear

Not because I have been stared at or made fun of

But because people are ignoring the One up above

On the day of judgment they will be the fools

Because they were too ashamed to play by their own rules

Maybe the guys won't think I am a cutie

But at least I am filled with more inner beauty

See I have declined from being a guy's toy

Because I won't let myself be controlled by a boy

Real men are able to appreciate my mind

And aren't busy looking at my behind

Hooded girls are the ones really helping the Muslim cause

The role that we play definitely deserves applause

I will be recognized because I am smart and bright

And because some people are inspired by my sight

The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility

In the back of their mind they wish they were me

We have the strength to do what we think is right

Even if it means putting up a life long fight

You see we are not controlled by a mini skirt and tight shirt

We are given only respect, and never treated like dirt

So you see, we are the ones that are free and liberated

We are not the ones that are sexually terrorized and violated

We are the ones that are free and pure

We're free of STD's that have no cure

So when people ask you how you feel about the hood

Just sum it up by saying, 'Baby its all good'

Author Unknown

http://muslim-canada.org/poem3.html

of Mas Selamat and Monsieur Filiu

2008-03-23T14:14:00.005+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

It is almost 1 MONTH since Mas Selamat escaped. This dude needs no introduction. He's everywhere but nowhere. He's like the most talked person in town. But what really come as a surprise to me was that this dude actually managed to stay out of the authority's sight in teeny weeny singapore for weeeeks..

Well actually my post is not gonna be so much about Encik Mas Selamat, but rather on a talk that I went to at S. RAJARATNAM SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES by Professeur Jean-Piere Filiu

and guess what the topic was? Al-Qaeda terrorising Islam

and guess what date it was? 27th MARCH 2008

and guess what time it was? 1530 hrs to 1700 hrs..

and guess who attended? prominent people in uniforms, people from the different ministries and embassies.

The talk was awesome and i felt enlightened at the end... and the thing is i felt super dumbed out by the smart people around me. I think my friend and I were the only 2 undergraduates there.. so yeah.. we kinda 'busy-bodied' but hey.. anything for the sake of knowledge and insyaAllah i'll make my way down...

so anyways, he talked about how Al-Qaeda terrorizes Islam by changing doctrines, by making instant sheikh, and this is the new thing i learnt that day was Al-Qaeda means the BASE and the irony is that they have no basis in whatever forms be it in territory,religion, history etc..

so i looked at the clock.. 4+.. hmmmm.. i gotta get backed to my FOC stuffs pretty soon..

there were lots of heated exchanges between this lady from some ministry and i was kinda impressed that there were lots of non muslims around... (which is good so they know that AlQaeda is a total wacko).. and there were questions on Jemaah Islamiah (J.I-- that's where our dude comes from).. and the professeur was being super humble since he is not so much an expert on the regional terrorist base and that there are people in the room who holds more knowledge in that area

anyhow... i went back... didnt watch the news but i kept hearing my dad ranting that somebody had escaped.. i didnt really bother.. and it only struck me that this coincidence of the talk was at the end of the week... it was when the intellectuals were talking about terrorist cells etc etc that dear mr singapore jemaah islamiah got his 'freedom' by going to the toilet.

sarcasms aside... let us make du'a that he'll get caught pretty soon and that we are protected from any bad terrorist attacks etc. Ameen

liveup2thesunnah.com

2008-03-23T13:56:00.005+08:00

may peace and blessings be unto you...

There is a new event coming up at Masjid Mujahidin... its liveup2sunnah.com Design 08. A multimedia competition and stand up to a chance of winning up to $5000 worth of prizes..

So here's the POSTER

pardon for the small pic..

I AM NOT AFRAID TO STAND ALONE

2008-03-15T17:11:00.004+08:00

Assalamualaikum,

This is dedicated to those who are feeling low, stressed, depressed etc etc. I hope this nasyeed by NATIVE DEEN gives u HOPE that there is the One who will ALWAYS stand by you. InsyaAllah.

I am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my side

I am not afraid to stand alone

Everything is gonna be alright

I am not afraid to stand alone

Going keep my head up high

I am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my side

Everything is going be alright

Going to keep my head up high

Single mother raising her children

And Now she's a Muslim

Started praying and wearing a headscarf

It Was a healing for her heart

Struggling with no one to lean on

But with prayer she would be strong

Had a job but then she was laid off

Got a better education and it paid off

She was called for a job that she dreamed of

Close by, great pay -she was in love --They brought her in -- told her shes the 1 pick

You got the job, but you gotta lose the outfit

"It's a tough position that you put me in Cause look at my condition, and my two children

But I'll continue looking for a job again Cause my faith and my religion I will never bend

I am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my side

I am not afraid to stand alone

Everything is gonna be alright

I am not afraid to stand alone

Going keep my head up high

I am not afraid to stand alone If Allah is by my side

Everything is going be alright Going to keep my head up high

Peer pressure, they were insisting

And I was resisting Some days.... I felt I would give in Just wanted to fit in

I know.....when I'm praying and fasting'

They be teasing and laughing

So I called to my Lord for the power

For the strength every day, every hour...one day there's a new Muslim teacher

Single mom and the people respect her

Just seeing.... her strength I get stronger

They can break my will no longer

You don't see me sweatin' when they're jokes cracking

Never see me cussing' with my pants saggin' I aint never running Yo Im still standing,

sorry I aint jumping on your band wagon, cause...

I am not afraid to stand aloneI am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my sideI am not afraid to stand alone

Everything is gonna be alrightI am not afraid to stand alone

Going keep my head up highI am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my side Everything is going be alright

Going to keep my head up high

Now, I'm a tough one, who can bear their blows

The rest play dumb, they don't dare say no

Scared of being shunned, but its clear they know

I aint never gonna run, I aint scared no more....

Man, these sisters be resolute

Never stressed when the rest say they wasn't cute

And the get the respect of the other youth

Come best with the dress yo and thats the truth

These sisters are strong gonna hand it down

So me Im a brotha gotta stand my ground

No fear, Im tough Im the man in town

Peer pressure no more, its my planet now

Others may fall, but Im hold my own

With Allahs help I'll be strong as stone

And I'll be the one to let Al Islam be shownCause I am not afraid yo to stand alone

I am not afraid to stand aloneI am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my sideI am not afraid to stand alone

Everything is gonna be alright I am not afraid to stand alone

Going keep my head up high I am not afraid to stand alone

If Allah is by my side Everything is going be alright

Going to keep my head up high

Calling U

2008-03-15T16:49:00.004+08:00

MasyaAllah!! THIS SONG IS JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!! its by Outlandish. Trio from denmark. Read and ponder on the lyrics.

"Callin' U"

I'm callin' U When all my goals, my very soul Ain't fallin' through I'm in need of U

The trust in my faith My tears and my ways is drowning so I cannot always show it

But don't doubt my love

I'm callin' U With all my time and all my fights In search for the truth

Tryin' to reach U See the worth of my sweat My house and my bed Am lost in sleep

I will not be false in who I am As long as I breathe

Oh, no, no I don't need nobody& I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U

My One & Only

I don't need nobody& I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U

U all I need in my life

I'm callin' U When all my joy And all my love is feelin' good Cuz it's due to U

See the time of my life My days and my nights

Oh, it's alright Cuz at the end of the day I still got enough for me and my

I'm callin' U When all my keys And all my bizz Runs all so smooth

I'm thankin' U

See the halves in my life My patience, my wife With all that I know

Oh, take no more than I deserve Still need to learn more

Oh, no, noI don't need nobody& I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U

My One & OnlyI don't need nobody & I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U

U all I need in my life

(Rap)

Our relationship, so complex Found U while I was headed straight for hell in quest

You have no one to compare to'Cause when I lie to myself nothings hidden from U

I guess I'm thankful Word on the street is U changed me It shows in my behaviour

Past present futureLay it all out

Found my call in your house And let the whole world know what this love is about

Yo te quiero, te extraño, te olvido Aunque nunca me has faltado, siempre estas conmigo

Por las veces que he fallado y las heridas tan profundas

Mejor tarde que nunca para pedirte mil disculpas Estoy gritando callado yo te llamo, te escucho, lo intento

De ti yo me alimentoCuando el aire que respiro es violento y turbulentoYo te olvido, te llamo, te siento

[Translation:]I love you, I miss you, I forget youEven though you never let me down and always are by my sideFor all the times I've failed and hurt you deeplyBetter later than never to give you a 1000 apologies I'm shouting silently, callin' you, I'm listening to you, I'm tryin'You nourish meWhen the air that I breathe is violent and turbulent I'm forgettin' you, I'm callin' you, I'm feelin' you

Oh, no, noI don't need nobody& I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U

My One & Only

I don't need nobody& I don't fear nobodyI don't call nobody but U...

The Hashshashin Conspiracy

2008-03-09T14:40:00.003+08:00

Our first video is UP!! HOORAH!! Alhamdulilah.. please visit http://www.hashshashin08.blogspot.com/

HERE I AM AGAIN!!!

2008-03-09T14:21:00.003+08:00

Peace and Blessings to All!!

Hehe.. after months of hiatus i am back.. Alhamdulilah.. I had loads to blog about but my laziness and busy-ness became me.. I have no idea how people find the time to blog in the midst of their daily activities. but i'll try my best insyAllah to update stuffs, publicise stuffs, rant stuffs, and publicise more stuffs so yeahhhh.. KEEP A LOOK OUT COZ I"M BACK!.. cheesy..

continuation of 'no BF article'

2007-10-05T23:33:00.001+08:00

Salam..

The other time when i went for iFast! camp, there was a huge debate going on regarding dating during Ramadhan. So dating is not encourage in Ramadhan but isnt it haram all the while??? I had this debate with this lad and afterwards,a debrief session by this brother that some uztaz actually said dating is okay.. with boundaries.. since its the modern times, etc etc.. I find that ure compromising.. isnt it?? I was so shocked when said that! but tried to kept my cool. Then another brother said that if one follows the hadeeth strictly dating is haraam. As usual i dont have the courage to voice out that the Quran pointed this out since i cant remember the exact ayat. So yeah was surfing turntoislam.com and found this:

Temptations Towards the Opposite Sex and Solutions

Dear Concerned,Assalamualaikum Due to dire necessity and over-emphasized importance of the following topic, a panel of ulema have dedicated a special program for our fellows examining this matter. They share the gist of their findings for everyone's benefit.[With respect to political correctness in gender, "girls" were mentioned due to the perspective of "boys," who participated in the program. It's understood that the reverse is true for girls also.]
Note: I am sharing something that has been shared with me, and i feel its worthy to be discussed, as the rate of premarital relations is on the rise even amongst muslims.
And trust me, as I am slowly posting this information by contemplating on it, it also helps me increase my TAQWA. May allah subh. help us follow the path that leads to Jannah... aameen..

"Analysis of Our Temptations Toward Girls and Its Solution"
1. PROBLEM/REALITY:- It's a natural tendency to be attracted; it's an undeniable fact- it's always bad, but specially in summer, it's worse- going back to homeland won't help because the same problem exists there too- the most difficult thing to control is "imagination"- exposing dress is a problem everywhere: billboards, ads etc.- peer pressure is tough to resist- married ones are also susceptible to fall short

2. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

2.1 GENERAL
- lower your gaze (every time, everywhere)
- always remember Allaah-
-consciously; remember death and the life after it
- busy yourself with good activities/learning
- increase Islamic knowledge, thereby have stronger conviction
- know the proper etiquettes and limits of communication with opposite gender
- know about this friend
-like enemy of yours: shaytaan you've gotta fight him till the last breath
- keep in mind that in order to find someone with piety/good character, you must be the same
- openly discuss with parents/trusted elders regarding these issues
- watch out for friends who are crossing the line (be bold and firm)
- avoid all songs/dramas/movies/novels that MAY provoke such feelings
- avoid TV totally if possible, otherwise watch together with good folks
- use the internet cautiously: block pop-ups, stay focused,place the computer where others can see
- perform the 5 daily prayers: on time, with full concentration
- perform extra fasting if needed
- don't put yourself in a test: simply avoid any testing of your character

2.2 IN SCHOOLS/COLLEGES
- from the very first day, present yourself as a good Muslim
- sit in the first row; sit besides boys (if ure a boy)
- try hard to have a lab/study partner of the same gender
- have the contact info. of a boy in case you miss a class
- if missing notes, ask from boys; if not, ask directly from the instructor
-with educational interest, you may look at your teacher of opposite gender,but in case any other feelings arise, you must lower your gaze
- don't make a negative impression of Islam if you wear a cap, for God's sake,don't hang around with girls

2.3 MARRIAGE
- plan what kind of girl to marry (to have a fixed vision/concentration)
- engagement is NOT marriage, both parties are still strangers until actual marriage
- getting engaged earlier may help, but it may create even more problems,making it difficult for both parties to stay within the limit
- marry at the earliest possible age--whenever one is ready in all aspects- physical + mental + financial abilities are necessary in order to marry
- don't fantasize about love, think about RESPONSIBILITY as well
- if two spouses are in two different places, unite as soon as possible- don't let often-seen dramatic movies/stories blind you, life is real,so face it with courage, wisdom and conviction
- Last but not least, always ask Allaah to guide you to the right path!

Watch out for the Arrow!Sent by Abumubarak to ummah forum
The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse.
Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him (Great and Gracious is He) a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart. (al-Haakim.)

Therefore, a secret lustful look at a person of opposite gender has been compared by the Prophet (pbuh) to an arrow from Shaytan that:
1. poisons our hearts
2. ruins our intentions
3. gives rise to false hopes and desires
4. distorts our perception of 'reality'
5. deprives us from enjoying and concentrating in Prayers
6. gives rise to constant feeling of guilt and depression
7. sometimes leads to sleepless nights
8. renders our heart weak for continuous Shaytanic attacks
9. promotes hypocrisy
10. weakens our memory
11. eventually leads to Zina (adultery)
12. above all, diminishes our love for and fear of AllahAllah commands us:
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that will make for greater purity for them..." [24:30.]
In the verse following this one, Allah commands the believing women in the similar manner.

5 Secret Benefits Of Jihad Against Temptation

1. Perhaps the greatest secret reward of resisting the temptation is the increase in your Faith (Iman), the sweetness of which could only be sensed by you! This empowering force of renewed Iman will help you suppress the desires in unimaginable ways.

2. Right when you are urged, if you remember Allah’s mercy, commandments, and displeasure, He will make it easy for you to get out of the situation without regrets, stress, or pain. Allah reassures us: “And the one who fears Allah (has Taqwa), He will make a way out.” [65: 2.]

3. It will also have a remarkable impact on your character, since the heart is like a mirror and the base desires are like rust upon it. When the mirror is polished and cleansed of the rust, it reflects the realities as they actually are. Your family and friends will see the difference!

4. Frequent gazing at unlawful scenes of sexuality tire and wear down both the heart and the eyes. The heart becomes “bored” and depressed after a while. However, when your eyes are prevented from looking around, the heart finds relief from the arduous task of vainly desiring something it does not possess.

5. As the Prophet (pbuh) once said to his Companion:”By Allah! Whosoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!" If you remain patient in this world, Allah will bless you with joys in ways you could never imagine!

18 Ways To Survive In Temptation Island !
Yes, it’s hard, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with obscene images: that hot, scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story or Spider Man!); or the pervasive links to ****ography while you may simply be checking your e-mail.
How can you protect yourself from all of this?

1. Don't forget the power of Allah’s Remembrance (Dhikr)! It is the most powerful of all the defenses. Regular reading of prescribed Du'as will develop your Taqwa (consciousness) and keep you mindful of what thoughts you entertain.

2. Remember your Accountability to Allah. In Islam, you're fully accountable as soon as you understand and feel such temptations. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment.

3. Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure not to bump into a hydro post! Lowering the gaze does not mean that you cannot have any “eye contact” as you walk or during a conversation. It means that you keep your eyes under control.

4. Take the Right Seat! In a public place (e.g. café), choose a seat that minimizes your view-
frame and avoid mixed-crowds. It is precisely about such comfortable gazing at the attractive features of the passers-by that the Prophet (pbuh) advised 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Ali, do not let a second look follow the first. The first look is allowed to you but not the second.''(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi.)

5. Hangout with those known for noble character and modesty. When you are around good people, they can remind you to abstain from that which Allah dislikes. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friends, so be careful about who you make your friend.”(Ahmad.)

6. Avoid friends that are into immoral movies, music, dirty jokes etc. Such activities are the tools of Shaytan that promote the idea of “love based on looks” or “love at first sight”.
Such friends would take you into an artificial world of fantasies and false hopes, away from reality, before it’s too late! Therefore, either you help your friends change through gentle advice, or abandon frequent contact with them.

As Allah warns us: "If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion." [43: 36.]

7. Avoid visiting malls and parks alone. Always try to go out with a family member or a good friend, whose company may help you avert your eyes from the objectionable billboards and inappropriately clothed people. In summer, step out only when you have to.

8. Surf or Watch TV when others are around. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures is heightened when you're alone in your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Shaytan’s primary target is always a lonely person! Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing.

9. Never have 'nothing to do'! Shaytan loves 'bored and idle' people. If you are feeling bored, do the dishes, or take out the garbage, or read some book. Allah says, "Do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands." [2: 195.]

10. Volunteer for Islamic Organizations. Your Jihad against immorality in the society is one reason for you to join Muslim youth groups in your community. Your involvement with such activities, along with the love of helpful brothers or sisters struggling for a good cause, will keep your mind, energies, and thoughts focused away from the Haram.

11. Read, Read, and Read! Yes, read as many Islamic books and articles as possible. Reading keeps your mind and eyes busy! It keeps you motivated to live your Islam and strengthens your relationship with Allah.

12. Always remember that the beauty of this world is temporary and the life hereafter is everlasting.

13. Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit.

14. If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah. It may be one of the most effective, yet challenging, defense mechanisms against such temptations.

15. For Brothers, remember your Mom and Sister. Disgusting right? Exactly! No sane person would look at his mom or sister the way many of us examine the girls on TV shows or stare at our Muslim sisters in social gatherings. This thought should sicken you enough to stop, Insha-Allah.

16.Remind yourself of the Death and Hereafter often. "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet (pbuh) once reminded us. (at-Tirmidhi.)

17. Increase your Good Actions. Try following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Remain conscious of Allah and fear Him wherever you are. And follow a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.” (at-Tirmidhi.)

18. Repent and Return to Allah. Allah is All-forgiving and loves those who return to Him, promising not to repeat their sins. “Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength.” [11: 52].

FiamanAllah,
Your brother in islam,
Omair Shafiuddin Ahmed.
===============================================

This world is a difficult journeyAn obstacle to overcome,Especially in the place we live in,Not everyday is bright and fun.The righteous salaf were as fearful of their good deeds being squandered, or not being accepted, as the present generation is certain that their neglect would be forgiven. [Hasan Al-Basri]

BZ

2007-08-10T20:51:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah Most Loving Most Kind

MasyaAllah!! Time flies sooo fast and i finally i belong to a SCHOOL!! Haha.. Indeed a second lost is a second lost forever.. Unless we fully utilise those seconds..

"By time, Verily man is at a loss, except for those who believe and do good deeds, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to endurance" Al-Asr:1-3

Many things happened since the last time i blog.. I have gained lots of insights and perspectives on issues. Alhamdulillah, i feel that im a richer person. Not in terms of $money$ but in terms of experiance. I shall not recount one by one what happend since 14th of July.. There's too many things but InsyaAllah, I will share my thoughts regarding the issues that i have encountered. (and this 'content' of thoughts will serve me as reminder to blog about those things i will mention below)

1. DEATH- the nightwalk journey IN pusara aman and the BH (berita harian) controversy

2. My Idea, Your Idea?- my group's project work idea implemented..('they' say it was not)

3. Wanted Needs- a poem

4. Baybeats (Is it goodbye?)- my experiance, and what i feel now

ok i shall stop at 4 for now. Im afraid that i have too much commitments and that i might not be able to fulfil what i have promised to share.. InsyaAllah I'll do my best to post those 4 topics..

btw i had school after 8 months of not being in a proper instituition. Despite not learning from textbooks, i have learnt SOOOOO much from WORK ( CPF-WBS & NUS Biz SCH), CAMPS ( FMSA & NTU Muslim Soc Freshmen Orientation Camp) & basically LIFE....

till then in InsyaAllah..

Salam,

Amirah

Ya Allah, guide us and save us from Hell-Fire and the tortures of the grave. Ameen

food 2 good

2007-07-14T20:10:00.001+08:00

BismillahirRahmannirRahim

The ambience was refreshing. The company was warm. The food was sumptious.

MASYAALLAH!! The other day Izzati, Syafiah, Anis and I went to this place called 2 Hot Halal Cafe. I have always wanted to go there except that there wasnt a chance. We decide to order what we want and split the bill into four. So these were the food we ate

Fishy Fish Sandwich- VERY GOOD, the fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The bread was good too, there's a side salad and potato chips.

Black Pepper Turkey Sanwich- Same thing like mine except they give you huge portion opf turkey bacon with blackpepper sauce( this is soo worth it than BK)

Turker Carbonara Pasta- the sauce is FANTASTIC! And huge chunks of turkey bacon as well.

Cili Padi Seafood Pasta- ( i think tat's wat its called) SPICY!! but really nice.

For drinks we ordered WOOWOO mocktail- and it did make me WOOWOO haha. Really nice interesting burst of flavour

Mango Fadango Smoothie- Not so smooth but it tasted real good, like there's ice cream it it

Cherry Soda- not ur typical kind, when i drank it memories of hari raya flowed in my mind.

Im not a good food critique as i would say SEDAP to whatever i eat but this is REALLY SEDAP. Trust me, I got 3 other ladies to back me up.

So yeah.

Alhamdullilah hil ladzi a to amana wa sako na wa ja a'lana Muslimin. Ameen

Play about Gay

2007-07-13T17:01:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

Alhamdullilah!! No naked Guys!!
That's all I can say when the play was on-going and when it finished. I mean thats last thing i wanna see in a play are gays frolicking- naked. All in all, there wasnt much obscenities- albeit the use of the F-word. Actually, when i wanted to watch this play naked guys didnt come to my mind, i thought it would be the matured content of this play that made them received the R18 from the censors. Until my future roomie asked me whether it received the R18 rating because of naked guys i was like God, protect my sight.

Anyways lets talk about the play, Happy Endings:Asian Boys Vol 3 written by Alfian Sa'at. Its an adaptation from a novel about gays by Johann S Lee. The play begins in 1992 when a young man wanted to make a novel about a gay friend. His protagonist, Chris Hann (the character from the novel) a a senior in RJC fell in love with the new guy, Ken Wijaya. At the same time, he was with a girl. So i think he's in this confused phase where he's not sure who he really loved.
The direction of the play was really good, during this first part of the play, i really liked the idea of the young man both acting out as the writer and the character in his book. This is kinda confusing at first but it turned out really well.

So back to the play: Somehow, Ken the new guy had to fly back to his home country, Indonesia. He was already engaged to a girl back home. Chriss' heart was broken. But Chriss managed to mend his broken heart by having a relationship with his officer, Samuel in the Army. When his officer died due to AIDS (the reason was very different- he died due to blood contaminated with HIV) Chriss gave up all hope and left the country.

The summary above doesnt do justice to the play but, im bad at summarizing. Anyhow, what I learnt from the first part of the play was that altho they're gays they have the same aspirations like normal people- and i think that's what Alfian Saat wants to potray. They want children etc etc, basically they want their right to live.

The second part of the play was set during present times. Sylvia, Chriss' exgirlfriend becomes a gay right advocator (altho' she's very straight), and Ken, Chriss' exboyfriend became and exgay speaker who tries to persuade gays that they have the chance of being straight again. I like Sylvia's line when she said that Ken apparently got out of the closet but somehow went in again. (its a joke-really, and i laughed)

What's really interesting about this part of the play was how the past characters meet with the present character. REALLY INTERESTING. I dunno how to describe it to u. U gotta watch this.
I give the play 5 out of 5 stars. For the witty, smart, lines.

Anyhow, while i was watching the play, questions keep popping up in my head. HOw DO PEOPLE TURN GAY? how?
Somebody enlighten me please.

So anyways, i am not a homophobic. I also do not agree with the idea of homosexuality. But yeah this is something to ponder through.
Allah forbids homosexuality. And He knows BEST. It's up to us to think this through. I havent think through this very much but when i have. and i know the right thing to say than insyaAllah i'll post my thoughts. As for now, this is it.

Ya Allah forgive our sins. Ameen

No Boyfriend? Read This.

2007-07-12T10:26:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Loving, Most Kind

NO BOYFRIEND??!!!

Yesterday, a friend of mine asked me, "Don't you have a boyfriend?" My answer was direct, "I'm against dating." Yes I am. I am against having a boyfriend. Ha-ha strange isn't it? In the year 2007, a girl who grew up in cosmopolitan Singapore ,who goes to a secular government school saying that. And he asked again," So, how are you going to get married?" I stumbled at that question. I know the answer to that but somehow I couldn’t put it in proper words.

It all goes back a year or two ago when I was going through my self-conflict phase. I would cry my eyes out to think that I was such a loser, such an ugly girl who cannot afford to have a boyfriend. That I'm going to grow into an old spinster with twenty cats living with me. I mean the pressure of to have a relationship outside marriage was HUGE. Come on, 99% of my friend have/had boyfriends. While I have never been out on a date (this doesn’t count the dumb blind date that I had when I was in sec 1). The media, the friends, the teachers. Everyone was into dating. This dampens my self esteem. Yeah. It obvious. I thought to myself. It's how I look and my personality sux. Flat nose. Pimples. Fat. Bad hair. Lopsided face. I was finding fault in myself. And I wasn’t imagining. I've a few people coming up saying that I'm not pretty , that I look like a guy, that I need to go for an extreme makeover, , that my face is a challenge (what the heck?). They would make fun how my nose is. Flat with pimples that doesn’t seem to go away. So it really affected me. When I looked at the mirror, I said to myself," Amirah, YOU ARE THE EPITOME OF GROTESQUE" and then I cry and cry and cry. To makes matters worse, my friends burnt me song AT SEVENTEEN by Janis Ian on my 17th birthday. I know they don't mean any harm since they have probably never heard of that song. I guess that song should be banned for making girls feel bad about themselves. So the lyrics goes like this,

I learnt the truth at 17, That love was meant for beauty queens and high sch girls with clear skin smile married young and then retire ..
And those of us with ravage faces, lacking in the social graces, desperately remains at home. Imagine lovers on the phone ..

Yeah. So who wouldn’t feel depress after hearing that song. I am the girl described in the song. Except that I wont imagine lovers on the phone. Ha-ha. And every time, whenever I'm in the Self Pity mode I keep saying to myself that I'm such a loser. Now, in retrospect, I was being very silly. Why do I need to get attention from another human being? Why did I want to be in a situation that’s forbidden by Allah. Satan has clouded my mind definitely. Forbidden things is showed as sweet, saccharine and pleasurable.
So this self pity thing goes for quite a some time. Than it strikes me, if I want to be beautiful I have to start from within. And the person who loves me will love me because of who I am not because of what I am. So the detoxing of body, mind and soul began.

When my sister came to Singapore for a visit, she brought a CD by Sheikh Mokhtar Al-Maghroui, the Opposite Gender: How Close is too Close? And I listened to it. As said by the Prophet (s.a.w) ,
The look at the opposite gender is an arrow of the arrows of Iblees . Looking at a non-mahram is like being stricken by an arrow. And you bleed. (when that was said that I thought of the cupid). And whosoever refrains from that look Allah will put in his heart sweetness of Imaan . 1st look is for you, means that the inadvertent look, just happened look InsyaAllah, Allah out of his Rahmah for his Ummah will not held us accountable in the Day of Judgement. Allah does not want anything that benefits him. Anything that Allah commands and forbids are for our own good and there's a lot of examples to prove. (ya Allah, I need to work on this)

Quran-An Nur-24:30-31
"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent , and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful."

After much pondering and contemplation I was very grateful to Allah that he made me this way. My lack of beauty are indeed a blessing. I have been protected by Allah. Alhamdulillah! Then I think again, having a boyfriend is like is having a package with a string of sins. So a few days after listening to the CD, my sis and I had a discussion (while she was cooking dinner for us). She asked me what I think about boyfriends. She told me her point of view and I told her mine. I told her that having a boyfriend is like a package with a string of sins because in the first place non mahram are not suppose to be together. And of course what's the real reason to have a gf or bf? In most cases, having a gf/bf is to 'experiment' with one another. Even holding hands as seen in today's society as a mild gesture is certainly not permissible in Islam. Seriously. And that there is no grace from Allah in such relationships. And thru marriage only will Allah sends his blessings. With that we are not only protecting our hearts but also the hearts of brothers.

So yeah. When I'm mentally, emotionally and financially prepared than I will look for a husband(definitely not now). No boyfriends for me. If someone do get interested in me(I'm not sure that guys would be interested in me), then its time to be serious. Ask for my hand in marriage and we'll see how it goes.

This is NOT an attack to those in a relationship. You may disagree with me a whole lot. This is indeed a controversial subject. But this is my opinion and it did take me sometime to think this through. I'm no scholar to say such and such things but yeah, InsyaAllah. This is a definitely a reminder to myself that I have made a covenant to Allah. Just ponder and contemplate.

Ya Allah, please guide us all to the straight path. Ya Allah please forgive my sins and the sins or the brothers and sisters in Islam. Ya Allah, shield us from the major and minor sins. Ya Allah protect me from the evil whispers. Ya Allah, let my future husband be the one with Imaan and Taqwa. Ya Allah let my future husband love me be the one who loves me for who I am. Ya Allah let my husband be the one who can guide me to be a better Muslim. Ya Allah, please let my husband be the one who loves me because he loves You. For You ya Allah, You are my true Lover.

Ameen. Ya rabbal 'alamin. (Allahumasoli'alah Muhammad wa 'ala alihi Muhammad)

http://muttaqun.com/gaze.html<-- for more info

A.I.D.S

2007-07-10T21:48:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Loving,Most Kind

Allah's Incurable Disease for Sexually-adulterous people.

Don't u think the above is true? There's no cure for AIDS.. Allah has given this sickness as a Sign. And sexually-adulterous people are the majority of sufferers..

Let's think. AIDS was not even heard of before the 1980s. It's a new sickness and its spreading fast like wildfire. Because u noe y? People have the so called Freedom of Sex. In the 60s the hippies' slogan was Made Love not War. 60s was the time when people have found their so called sexual freedom.

I'm not gonna rant so much of Aids victim in Africa. Yes, indeed its a very sad situation. But wat i'm gonna talk about r those who do such acts (as in intercourse). If u wanna fight AIDS, the solution is PURE AND SIMPLE. DONT HAVE CASUAL SEX. Period. That's it. Simple ain't it?

I hate it when the media keeps focusing on safe sex. There's no such thing as safe sex outside marriage. Wear protection! Blah blah blah. Use condoms! Blah Blah Blah. Like that thing is gonna help. I mean seriously.. Plus, (altho this is out topic) Are condoms biodegradable? I mean if its not, than isnt it a contributor to the earth in crisis?

Then there's the theory that a monkey was the one that causes AIDS. Yeah sure BLAME the Monkey. Blame all the other things in the world except ourselves.

Well. this post is kinda superficial but these r the thoughts that were inside my head and i need to get them out.

Ya Allah, please forgive our sins. Hinder us from zina and all the things that u have forbid us. Ameen

nb: for more info go here-->http://www.avert.org/origins.htm

From Baklava to BBC

2007-07-06T19:49:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful,Most Gracious

I was at Prohijab.com and I saw her name. I googled her name and within seconds hundreds of sites came up. WOW!! MasyaAllah! The sister that I met in Canada is actually well-known.

Flashback, It was a sleepy January morning and I was watching BBC .(yeah, Haahaa, BBC in the morning is really good 4 u and im not being sarcastic) News showed Canada apologises to to Maher Arar. My reaction was 'Ok, cool, news about Canada' And then, I saw this lady who looks VERY FAMILIAR. And I was like, "Eh?! Isn't that my sister's friend(as in my real sis)? Isn't she the one who taught us how to make BAKLAVA (u see tat wonderful pic up there? THAT'S BAKLAVA. YuMM. Baklava is a type of mediterranean /middle eastern dessert and there's lots of version of it. the one above is the tunisian version if im not wrong. I LOVE BAKLAVA!! Somebody please make me BAKLAVA!!)

The news went on and when Canada's PM Harper said sumthing like '..apologises... Maher and wife Monia' then I was like CONFIRM chop chop GUARENTEE, the lady there was the sister who taught us Baklava.

I got soooo excited!! ( 4 those who know me, u should know how i am when im excited heeehee)
I couldnt wait to tell my sis (ok to make things easier,lets call my real sister, Kakak). Kakak was still sleeping when i heard the news so i waited in excitement for her to wake up. (she was in Sg to visit us, to show us Haajar, my niece, to get PR for her husband and to buy a house here) After telling her wat i saw on tv she was SOO RELIEVED. U see, the news only mentioned Canada apologising to Bro Mahar and his family. Br Mahar was accused of being a terrorist and was deported to Syria by the USA. Altho' Canada apologises, USA didnt. So the news was all over, CNN,CNA, Straits Times, Berita Harian.However the spotlight wasa not so much on sis Monia but her husband.
Since i have no idea what's the story behind the apology,Kakak told our family wat happened.

Sister Monia and her family was on a holiday when her husband had to go back to Canada first to due to some errands. So when her husband reached New York for transit, the nice US Immigration people claimed that they received information from Canada that he was a suspected terrorist and has to be deported to his home country. U see, Bro Mahar is a Canadian Citizen so by right he's suppose to be sent back to Canada. Instead, he was deported to Syria,his birth country.
When Sister Monia realised her husband didnt reach home in Canada, something was dead wrong. meanwhile, her husband was in Syria being tortured. Sister Monia went all the way for her husband. Seeking for justice and trying to get her husband back to canada .
In the end,after more then a year of not seeing his family, Br Mahar got back to Canada and all he wanted ever more was to clear his name.
Finally Alhamdulilah, he cleared his name and was compensated by the canadian gov in monetary value. Altho' he got wat he wanted, the traumatic experiance still haunts him. He was, among many innocent brothers, a victim of 'guilty by association'
So today, when i googled Sister Monia's name, I'm happy to see lots of websites praising on her courage and tenacity to seek for justice. Im so proud of her, i dont think i would have gathered as much courage as her. To add on, she got herself involved in politics by joining National Democratic Party. Littel did i know that when she taught how to make Baklava, this admirable sister is a phD holder in Financial Economics. WOW! MasyaAllah! A DOCTOR taught us how to make baklava.. isnt that sweet? While making Baklava i played with her two adorable children. Her daughter then 8 was telling me about the education system in canada (isnt tat cute?!) while her brother then 3 was running away whenver i wanted to take a picture of his handsome face.haha..

It was really nice getting to know Sister Monia and her kids. And i feel tat it's kinda cool to have some1 bringing positive news on tv and the internet.

May Allah make it easy for them and for us. May Allah grant us courage and wisdom. Ameen

go to these links http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5ecd5c44-dbb2-4a83-9c7a-dbdf653b5bd2 for more.
http://www.tru.ca/news/06storiesdec/mazigh.html

The Hijaab

2007-07-06T14:19:00.001+08:00

MasyaAllah! This video MADE ME CRY!! Listen to the words.. Song by Dawud Warnsby Ali Video by Leylasp1

They say, "Oh, poor girl, you're so beautiful you know
It's a shame that you cover up your beauty so."
She just smiles and graciously responds reassuringly,
"This beauty that I have is just one simple part of me.
This body that I have, no stranger has the right to see.
These long clothes, this shawl I wear, ensure my modesty.
Faith is more essential than fashion, wouldn't you agree?" This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.

They tell her, "Girl, don't you know this is the West and you are free?
You don't need to be oppressed, ashamed of your femininity."
She just shakes her head and she speaks so assuredly,
"See the bill-boards and the magazines that line the check-out isles,
with their phony painted faces and their air-brushed smiles?
Well their sheer clothes and low cut gowns they are really not for me.
You call it freedom, I call it anarchy."

This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to preserve her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.
Lift the veil from your heart and see the heart of purity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video by KSTCZY

2007-07-06T14:11:00.001+08:00

Here is a video by a friend, Bro Faizal. I think it's REALLY Gooood (faizal this is free publicity for u.. Haha)

Of Ghosts, Ghouls and the Thursday Night Myth

2007-07-06T12:34:00.001+08:00

Thank Allah its FRIDAY (TAIF)!!!!!! Hehe.. Not like it mattered to me coz IM NOT SCHOOLING or WORKING.. heeheeheee... But it sure MATTERS to me coz FRIDAY is VICTORY DAY (hoorah!!) Let's get back to topic shall we?..

Incredible Tales was aired yesterday. On thursday night. Typical ain't it? A GHOST STORY ON THURSDAY NIGHT. It seems tat ghosts onli comes out on thursday night or malam jumaat*. MOST TYPICAL true ghost stories will begin on thursday night. Y thursday night? I wonder too... hmmm...(sumbody please enlighten me)

Anyways, when i was a very young girl, i thought friday prayers was done to protect ourselves from evil spirits.. ASTAGHFIRULLAH.. i mean Friday is the DAY OF VICTORY...

I mean as a young girl, i was so influenced by this scary shenanigans that i will scare myself silly whenver thursday night comes.

I do believe in the unseen. Allah is the Unseen. He has created beings that we cannot see, like Jinns and Malaikat. The onli time wen we can see them is when they shape shift.If we can see them i reckon that u have no place to move coz it'll be soo crowded.

We should not fear them because they are the created and NOT the CREATOR. Our fear is 1 and Only, Allah.

Plus, i really feel that we should BANISH these thoughts that THURSDAY Night is the time when ghosts will start doing funny things to us. Instead let us spend the THURSDAY night as a night to remember Allah (like we should be 24/7) for the greatness he has provided for us.

So seek onli for Allah's protection. So if any ghosts disturb u u know u have a really dependable Protector. Read Ur Al-Fatihah, ur 3 Quls ( Qul hu Allah hu Ahad, Qul a'u dzh birobilFalaq, Qul a'u dzu bi rob binnas) and ur Ayatul Qursi. And stick to our Imaan/ InsyaAllah.

Ya Allah please show us ur guidance and light. Ameen

*literally translated as Friday Night. Following the Islamic Lunar Calendar, the new date begins at sunset. So a thursday night in Gregorian terms is Friday night in Islamic term. So a Monday Night in Gregorian term is a tuesday night in Islamic term. (i got this info from http://www.iask.com.sg/)

Ikhlas

2007-07-05T21:45:00.001+08:00

In The Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

I'm not gonna talk about the sinetron. Never watched it. Maybe it's good I dunno coz I dun understand Indonesian language ( my paternal grandad's from Java. Talk about knowing your roots. haha). But what im gonna discuss is sumthing close to my heart. Something that happened to me becoz I wasn’t being sincere. Btw, fyi ikhlas is sincerity (or is it keikhlasan that means sincerity? NVM)

LET ME REVEAL IT TO YOU.

These are my A Level Grades (im showing u this so it’s something that you guys should ponder on and not to repeat the same mistakes I did)
They're very average..But Alhamdulillah, Allah has made it a lesson for me. Thank You Allah for showing me the light on things.
So here goes

History B
Economics B
Malay D

It was below my aim. I aimed for a BBC, C for econs. And during my study period I suddenly aimed for TRIPLE As (fat hope) Should have aimed higher, earlier.

Anyways, when i studied Malay, I wasnt being sincere. I studied just for the sake of studying. in my mind i was like Y ON EARTH DID I TAKE MALAY LITERATURE. So yeah. i cried wen i got my results. Didnt know whether its a good result or a bad one.But people was congratulating me.. i didnt understand. I felt i was not being grateful to Allah.

Blame it on my teacher? I mean he did his best. 90% should be up to me. Then I ponder. I contemplate. Whatever Allah has given me its the best for me. I dare not think the situation if i get triple A. Wallahualam. I might have turn arrogant (Naudhzubillahminzalik). Watever the situation maybe, Allah gave me the result that i truly deserve.

So, results dont matter in the 'eyes' of Allah. It's ur effort. Plus your Du'a. Watever that happens, its for your own good. One may not realise it initially but InsyaAllah one will see its fruits later. It might not be in this life, it could be the next.

Ya Allah, please shower us with Your Blessings. Provide us with the Good and prevent our hearts from turning riyak. Ameen

n.b: the calligraphy u see there is BISMILLAH.

Malay Weddings and Their Loud Music

2007-07-04T15:45:00.001+08:00

Besides celebrating to a new life for married couples , a wedding is also a focal point where long distance relatives and long lost friends meet after a looooong time. Hence the need to make conversations, to ask about each other's life while eating Briyani Dam with Rendang and Ayam Masak Merah. A wedding is a family oriented event where there are children and babies and grannies and etc etc.

So I really don't understand WHY ON EARTH THEY PLAY LOUD MUSIC GOOD ENOUGH TO BURST YOUR EARDRUMS. I am like soo annoyed by the fact that MOST Malay weddings play music in FULL BLAST with KARAOKE singers that could not read a note. Yeah, its a celebratory thing but do you have to go to such extent?

I mean, I wanna have a chat with my friend whom I have not met for a long time. I literally had to shout to her when she's just next to me. COME ON!! This is a WEDDING!! Not a ROCK GIG!!
I don't oppose that music is being played just as long as its subtle and it doesn’t affect my conversations . Plus, aren't they afraid that due to the sensitivity of their eardrums, babies and children are at a greater risk. Considerate-NOT.

Plus the type of music being played is like totally unIslamic. There's no Islamic adab present. Free mixing, dangdut music which suggests love and relationship outside marriage. (my definition of dangdut music is like the lyrics of trashy hip hop with the beats of techno- no offense to those who like dangdut or hip hop or techno)

To add on, there was a wedding near my house, I didn’t see the wedding but I can hear the music. It's so loud that I can hear it from my 4th floor apartment. What's more, MUSIC WAS STILL BEING PLAYED DURING MAGHRIB. MAGHRIB. Do I need to repeat the word again? M.A.G.H.R.I.B. MAGHRIB..
Its not the ADHZAN that I heard but UNISLAMIC MUSIC from a Muslim wedding (I knew it’s a Muslim wedding since the general population who's Muslim here are Malays. And they're playing Malay music. But then again Malay doesn’t equate a person in being Muslim but whatever it is those people were not being considerate) . Need I say more? (well I hope I'm wrong about them being Muslim bcuz they are really not showing good examples)

This is a really an inconsiderate act. Let us ponder upon it and see how culture has become more important than Islam.

I'm sorry if I have offended any parties, watever that's good comes from Allah and the rest are from my own human error.

O Allah, Please forgive me and my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. O Allah please keep us under your guidance and light. Ameen.

Do leave ur comments. I know I am never perfect but why don't we remind each other.:)

Note: for you who haven't seen ummahfilms do go to their blog. They're really good.
Here's a taste of CULTURE VS ISLAM.

The Title

2007-07-04T15:37:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

I heard this audio from the CD my sister bought titled,

'How Close Is Too Close" by Dr Sheikh Mokhtar Al Maghroui. It deals with the etiquette between males and females in Islam. (This topic will be discuss in later post InsyaAllah).

Anyways, he mentioned about how shaytan makes UGLY beautiful while he makes BEAUTIFUL ugly. Like for example, CLUBBING is seen as cool by the masses while going to a syarahan means you’re a loser.

Anyhow, he then elaborated further giving an analogy of the type of glass you're looking through. Whether its crystal clear or rose tinted .

A crystal clear glass would mean that you are able to see through clearly. Meaning you are able to see the truth of the situation. (like there's no obstruction in your view)So if its UGLY, ITS UGLY. So if its BEAUTIFUL, ITS BEAUTIFUL . On the other hand, if your view is rose-tinted, you would only see the beauty of things on the surface but not what lies behind the glass. (the painted glass is obstructing your view so you can't see what's behind the glass).

So Yeah. I really like the analogy. I makes me ponder and I hope it makes you ponder too.
O Allah make us see the truth in things, make our view through a crystal clear glass instead a rose tinted one which has been painted by shaytan. O Allah please guide us all. Ameen.

Note: I would absolutely love to upload the audio here so you people can benefit from it. But I'm not sure about copyright issues. So if you wanna here it, please contact me.

VisiGeerent (just a misspelled VICEGERENT)

2007-07-03T19:49:00.002+08:00

When I turned 18 last year, I was thinking what is the purpose of life. I mean u live and then u die. That's kinda boring rite? I knew that as Muslims we believe that there is life after death I did and still do believe that. But somehow there was a void in my heart. My mind wasn’t thinking straight.
Alhamdulillah I've found my answer. I found it in the Qur'an. Alhamdulillah Allah has guided me. I wasn’t being a good Muslim (shall not mention the things I did) and I still have lots to improve. I mean lots. Ya Allah please guide us all. Ameen.
So I've come across the word Khalifah a couple of times but I didn’t know what it actually meant. I read in several texts saying that we are Allah's Khalifah. I only knew Khalifah in the way its used for Khalifah Abu Bakr (r.a)Khalifah Omar(r.a) Khalifah Uthman (r.a) and Khalifah 'Ali (r.a). To make matters worse , the English translation of Khalifah is VICEGERENT. I mean how often do u use VICEGERENT in your sentence?

vice·ge·rent /vaɪsˈdʒɪərənt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[vahys-jeer-uhnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
an officer appointed as deputy by and to a sovereign or supreme chief.
2.
a deputy in general.

in simple terms for my simple mind, we are Allah's steward/ and we are to serve Allah in whatever we do. Tho' I believe that there's a deeper meaning to that. Ya Allah, please enlighten me.

So Alhamdulillah, somehow I got my answers (cant remember how I did) and these answers were solidified by the camp that I went to last June organised by FMSA. (got to know about the camp through my sis and I didn’t regret one tiny bit for coming. The camp was SOOO GOOD MasyaAllah). Anyways, being Allah's Khalifah would mean to do good to oneself, to do good to others and among other things to preserve what Allah has provided for us. This is one heck of a responsibility (which we gladly volunteered when we were just souls) but the reward promised by Allah is PRICELESS, so priceless you can't find them in this life.

Yeah. I guess that's it for this time around. 4give me if I hurt your feelings in my post. Do remind me if I make mistakes. And May ALLAH GUIDE US ALL. AMEEN.

d 1st Entry

2007-07-03T13:11:00.001+08:00

In the Name of Allah, Most Loving, Most Kind

Alhamdulilah! Finaly I'm starting my own blog. After many failed attempts. So this first entry is gonna be sweet and simple. To tell u the truth, I hate blogging! Be it reading them or doing them.. But at times i feel like i need to put my thoughts across. So yeah. Here it is. MY OWN BLOG. InsyaAllah, May watever i write makes sense. And InsyaAllah May this thingy continue.

~visiGeerent