We Plan, yet He is the Best of Planners.

Bismillah.
In life, we plan, don't we?
But sometimes, our plans are cancelled. I got quite irritated that my mum's plan and I was cancelled at the last minute when I was already on my way to meet her. Soon after, my mum called again and cancelled the second plan. However, the result of both? I managed to attend an important briefing of an event I would be participating in. At that particular briefing, it was where I received my "wake-up call" with regards to my role as a leader in MS and the kind of standard I have to consistently build, with respect to knowledge and the book of Allah swt, the Qur'an.

The first part seems pretty small and petty but if you look at how Allah swt has planned out everything for you, and when it happens, you just can't help but be thankful. It's amazing, really, how sometimes you think you won't be able to make it for an invitation or an important briefing due to other plausible reasons but Allah, made it possible such that You will go to and go through what He has willed for you. Subhanallah.
Alhamdulillah. All praises be to Allah swt.

So the next time your plans are cancelled or postponed etc, keep calm and have patience. Have faith that it is all a part of His Plan and if you seek the good out of it, insyaAlllah, all will be well :')

The Best of Books

Bismillah. 

Alhamduillah, indeed, Allah swt, Al-Wahhaab(The Bestower) bestows upon us so many blessings in countless forms. We thank Him for every drop of rain that surfaced this land, the fresh and exuberant air, the clear skies. 

Has it ever occured to you how much of a blessing it is to be able to read the Quran? Even if it's just Surah al-Fatihah?

Has it dawned upon you how special you are to be chosen by Allah swt, to read His Kalam?

Have you realised that this world and the vast knowledge of it contained in abundant books, will never come close to the Book of Allah? And He chose you. 

To read His Words,

in the language that He Himself communicated it with to Malaikat Jibril, to Prophet Muhammad(saw) and to you?

To myself first, let's examine our relationship with The Book, al-Quran. For this is one of two gems that we should hold on strongly to, the other being As-Sunnah, to be a slave whom He is pleased with.

Let's see how we can improve on it. And fully utilize and implement it to be a better Muslim, to be closer to Him, insyaAllah.

Ramadhan is around the block too, insyaAllah. Let's always check and renew our intention that the ultimate reason that we want to read the Quran and benefit from it is not because it's the month of Ramadhan solely but, because of so much more. 

So why is the Quran important to you? :)

Stress?

Stress is a test. Working under time constraint is a test. Feeling like doing something else when you're supposed to be doing something is a test. Feeling like you're far from your goals is a test. Don't dismiss the fact, that it is a test. But, they are just small tests from Allah. Because they're incomparable to what could be in store. Because they're incomparable to the hidden blessings behind and beneath it. Because they're incomparable to the tests that others are facing and they're handling it so much better. Because they're incomparable to the tests that our prophets had gone through and excelled in. Because they're incomparable to the bountiful of goodness that you're enjoying concurrently while faced with those tests.

Don't magnify it. Don't complain. Just accept. Breathe. Comfort your heart with patience, train your mind with diligence, ask Allah to help You. All will be well insyaAllah. Ameen.

Keep It Low

Bismillah.

I'd like to share something pertaining something close to heart, especially recently. That is, lowering of the gaze. This excerpt is from the article, "10 Habits We Must Avoid in Ramadhan" at Gsalam.net. All praise is due to Him for bringing me to read it and I couldn't have find this piece more relevant, now that we are less than a month away from Ramadhan, bi idhnillah.

Oh, and another thing. When we learn something, it's only proper that we follow through it with actions. That of course, should be the way. But it's not always easy as Allah swt, will present you with tests to test you if you would practise what you've learnt or be enlightened or reminded of. But that's alright, as much as we fail sometimes in rising up to His tests, His Mercy is so much more greater. Don't despair, keep trying again and again. Most importantly, don't give up. Because Allah swt never did, with us. :')

Eyes is one of the greatest blessings Allah has bestowed upon His Creatures. It’s therefore entrusted upon as an Amanah. With eyes, we are able to appreciate other blessings of Allah, in a better way. No doubt, it’s meant to help us to worship Allah excellently.

However, eyes is one of the most critical organs in human body, after the tongue. It determines what we choose and how we react to happenings surrounding us. We unlikely fall in love to something we haven’t’ seen, even when we are told about it. Unless it’s described in a creative way, that grants us virtual vision of the described objects.

When we talk about lowering one’s gaze, it’s not only applicable to particular gender. The requirement for Muslims to lower their gaze is applicable to males (Muslims) and females (Muslimahs). This is because, males and females share the same self-desires (Shahawat), which requires the use of eyes in achieving it.

Allah says in Surah Al-Nour, 24:30-31:

It means, “Tell the Believing Men to lower their gaze and remain chaste. That is purer for them. Allah is aware of what they do. Also, tell the Believing Women that they should lower their gaze and remain chaste…” 

I came across the following list of advice from the Islam Q&A website (http://islamqa.info/en/ref/20229). I’m highlighting some of them here (after rephrasing them, for the benefit of this book), in the hope, that we find them useful, and that they may guide us in the process of constant lowering of our gaze: 

• One has to bear in mind that Allah is watching him/her: Allah sees him and is with him wherever he goes. It may be a secretive glance of which your neighbour is unaware, but Allah knows of it. 

• Let’s seek the help of Allah: Beseeching Him and calling upon Him (du’a). 

• Constant conscious that eyes is a blessing and an Amanah, entrusted upon us: Blessings require us to be thankful for them, and trusts (Amanah) requires us to be responsible caregivers. 

• Practice makes perfect: We can train ourselves to lower our gaze. With time, one will perfect in doing so, insha Allah. 

• Remember that lowing our gaze instills great pleasure in one’s heart:“Whoever leaves something for Allah’s Sake, Allah will compensate him with something better.” [Hadeeth]. 

• Surround yourself with good company: “Show me your friend, and I’ll tell you, whom you are.” Good company will advise you, remind you and guide you. 

• Do yourself a favour: Avoid places where you feel you are likely to be exposed to the temptation of raising your gaze. This includes TV, websites, forum pages, window shopping (going to shopping malls just to spend time, not for specific need) and sitting in the street. 

May Allah swt guide us all and grant us the true knowledge and may He grant us taufiq in practising what we've learnt. InsyaAllah. Ameen.

Alhamdulillah, I've learnt something new from reading this article on IslamQA.com on the question of "What is meant by lowering the gaze?" May it be of benefit.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/85622

Of The Sand, Seas and Skies

-Selesa Beach Resort, Port Dickson

Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to spend time in Malaysia over the past weekend. It was a wonderful retreat, away from the hassle of city life, school, other commitments, 3G and wifi. Though I didn't manage to get a particular souvenir for myself, the enriching and refreshing experience I obtained from just being actively present before His Creations were more than enough. On every journey, Allah is our Companion and only in Him do we seek refuge and guidance. Always count your blessings, to the oft-forgotten ones like our eyes and sight, ears and the ability to hear, mind and heart to think and feel, among the other senses we're blessed with. :

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

-Surah 'Ali 'Imran: 190-191