Keeping the Self Company

Tonight I am reminded of the times that I was alone

Where I felt truly alone

Many times messing up

Had tears to myself and the One who heard every trickle

Down each of my eye

Telling myself I had nothing to be drowning in sadness about

If I have all that I can ever need

What else would I die to have?

Even a shoulder gets tired after some time

But not that of the One who molded it

For that I am convinced and I believe

With every amount of energy I have been blessed with

To type these thoughts to tangible

That there is ease with every difficulty,

Solution for every confusion,

Wisdom for everything else I do not quite understand

So Merciful is He

Who wouldn't put us in a situation any greater than which we can bear

He knows, He knows

To think back

I was alone because everyone else isn't around and they were far

But our father Adam a.s. was the one and only human created then

How more lonely was he

Then who I am to complain

I don't mean to compare but

Theirs are stories for us set again,

For a purpose

At this page in your book you may still have blanks

And the page doesn't stay still it will keep turning

As you tread on this path of which you ask Him every day for it to be the straight one

Learn to trust Him whose promises are eternally true,

Learn to love the One whose love for you is unimaginably profuse.

All praises be to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Of Mixed Colors & Compassion

In light of recent "racial tension" spurred by my fellow Singaporeans, I would like to share this status update by bro Aiman Azlan on his Facebook page.

I always try to find ways to think good of people, even to those who apparently don't deserve it. Sometimes it's hard to make excuses for people, but I'll find a way.

I do that not for them, but for me. I know that my perception of them will affect how I will treat them. If I am to be compassionate in my treatment of others, I have to first be compassionate in my perception. 

Compassion is not weakness. Compassion is strength. 

 I personally find it challenging too, to practise husnuzhon(=sangka baik=think good of others) with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations but we have to keep trying again and again and train ourselves, as part of being a better Muslim as well insyaAllah.

May Allah subhnahu wa ta'ala guide us and grant us understanding. Ameen.

Gives Me Hope

Sometimes, it takes you to see someone being gifted the most precious gift that you realize and are reminded that you do have it too. And that gift that I'm referring to is Islam.

MasyaAllah, Allah swt guides whom He wills.
It is really heart-warming and refreshing to listen to and read of stories of reverts to Islam. How they discovered Islam, how Islam brings peace and serenity to their hearts and lives.

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/10/01/241253.html
This is an article regarding a French revert sister who used to be a rapper. She said that Islam was introduced to her by coincidence when she saw her Muslim friend praying. SubhanAllah, who knew right? That just by seeing someone fulfilling the commandment of solah(prayer), it can be a door of opportunity for dakwah!

Stories like these gives me hope, amidst the chaos and negativity surrounding Islam. Why? Because Allah swt works in amazing ways. By His Will, many more are receiving and returning to Islam. And I believe it's a sign for us all to be aware that it is not too late to turn to Him, even if we have failed many times. Because I have too.

Another thing that struck me was when she said in her TV interview that her "conversion to Islam was the result of a personal conviction, after understanding the religion and reading the Holy Quran."

Take note that she said AFTER understanding the religion and reading the Holy Quran.

As a born Muslim, do I even understand my own religion? Have I actually read the Quran, understood what it means and apply it to my life?
Am I being grateful to my Creator for the best and most precious gift that a human can ever have? Between my creation and my return to my Creator, what am I doing to please Him?

My dear sisters and brothers, let's start to establish our 5 daily prayers first. Learn, understand, practice. May Allah swt guide us all and make us among those who makes prayers the biggest priority in our daily lives and be submissive and tranquil in our prayers. Ameen.

You know you're gonna lose these.

It's very common to hear "You don't know what you've got till it's gone".
Someone I know commented that, the truth is, we do know, we just don't realize that we will lose it.

Thus a reality check for all of us:
Nothing in this world belongs to us. Not a thing, not status, not position, not money and property, not a person, not a lover. Whatever that we choose to hold in our hearts aside from the One who created it, just won't last. What we have now and what's in front of us will be gone from us one day and we'll be taken away from it. And our return is to Allah swt. And we belong to none but our Creator, Allah swt.

Let's be among those who are always grateful.

May Allah swt help us to remember Him, be grateful to Him through our hearts and actions manifested and worship Him in the best of manners. May He guide us all onto the straight path on which He will be pleased with. Ameen.