Simple yet Powerful..

Recently, I had a visit from a very good old friend. We've been friends for more 10 years and though we didn't managed to see or talk to each other often, each time we met it was as if, we were never apart at all. It's always nice to have friends to come and visit, isn't it?

To tell you honestly, the last few months have been somewhat very trying for me. I had a lot of things going on at the same time that I felt kinda lost. I felt that I've strayed far away from my original purpose and slowly changing into someone I wasn't comfortable with. Have you ever experienced the feeling that without you realising it you've become someone you're not happy with but yet was unable to stop the change? You know like you've kinda got swept away with the tide and when you finally stopped and looked up, you found yourself in dark and unfamiliar area.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't turning evil or anything like that.God forbid! If that happens, the Wise Owl would probably grab hold me and perform an exorcism before he even let that happens.  I am truly fortunate to have people who cares about me and my spiritual being. Alhamdulillah.

Anyway...I know I'm digressing but what I'm trying to say is that I wasn't comfortable with the personal changes that was happening to me. Somewhere along the way I got lost and sidetracked. I also became lazy. There were things that I wanted to do but there were too many obstacles that I simply gave up and in the end, I ended up feeling frustrated. I know...I know...entirely my fault. I was kinda drifting aimlessly for months end.

The visit from my friend made me realised that I should NEVER underestimate the power of dua, however simple it may be. Day in and day out I pray to God asking Him to guide me to the straight path and that day, he sent someone to remind me of my purpose.

"1. In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.  

2. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).  

3. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.  

4. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)  

5. You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).  

6. Guide us to the Straight Way 

7. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray."

Surah Al Fatihah 1-7.

When my friend (may God bless her) came, not only did she lifted my spirits but she took me down memory lane and reminded me of what I first set out to do. Sometimes, you just need a friend to help you up and help you find your way back. Some encouraging words can also do wonders. No doubt the reminder came from Allah SWT but it sent through her.

So my friends, never underestimate the power of a simple dua like Al-Fatihah. We take for granted this powerful dua because we repeat it every single time we pray. We ritually repeat it without really putting any emphasis on it. 

If you ever feel lost, just ask Him to guide you back. You ask and He will give. It may not be immediate and normally there is a very good reason for the delay but trust me, He will give.

And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer):
Surah Ghafir 40:60
 

A Pair of Rubber Shoes

“Life is a long lesson in humility.”- J.M. Barrie.

A couple years ago, I suffered a very painful knee problem. To prevent further injury to my knee and to facilitate speedy recovery, the doctor told me that I had to make sure that my feet were flat on the ground when I walked and wearing stilettos were a big no-no. I was fine about the stiletto part because I don't wear them. I simply can't seem to balance myself on it. Still, most of my shoes had heels and I can't very well wear flip flops to work. So, my quest for a comfortable flat shoes started.

Upon recommendations by some friends, I bought a few shoes which were supposedly to be of high quality. Mind you, those shoes were not cheap but you know what people say....good things don't come cheap.

Unfortunately, those shoes did not last very long. The cushion at the heels wore off quickly. I found myself buying new shoes every few months. It was a costly affair and I was getting frustrated.

One day, I was doing my usual grocery shopping when I saw this plain black rubber shoes. It was the most unattractive shoes I've ever set my eyes on. It wasn't ugly, it was just unattractive. I picked it up and found it to be flexible. Out of curiosity, I decided to try it on. Lo and behold! It was the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn! The price? Well...it was less RM20. My...my ...my..Would you believe it?

That goes to show that not everything that is expansive is good and not everything that is cheap is lousy. I do believe that the lesson that I was supposed to learn was also that when it comes to people, never judge from their appearance. The best person in the Eyes of God could be the scruffiest looking person in the eyes on men and vice-versa.

Ever since that day, I've been wearing that black rubber shoes everywhere and have no intention of changing. That one pair of rubber shoes lasted me a few years rather than a few months. I've also started looking at people in a different light. My rubber shoes have taught me that sometimes in life, simplicity is the best.....

"Verily, your Lord knows better, who (among men) has gone astray from His Path, and He knows better those who are guided."

 (Surah Qalam:7)

As I touch my forehead to the ground....

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

I used to wonder why do we human prostrate i.e. 'sujud'? Is it as a form of respect or is it an act of worship? Why do we, as Muslims, prostrate in our solat? Is it because it's one of the rituals in solat or is there another reason for it?

I decided to look it up in the dictionary and what I found was....

To prostrate means

verb

lay oneself flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission.

Worship on the other hand means

verb

Show reverence and adoration for (a deity).

Hhmm....I was no where close to finding my answer.

A couple years ago, I suffered a bad knee injury that prevented me from standing for a long period of time or kneeling. My injury also prevented me from performing my solat in the normal way. When it came to prostration or 'sujud', I had to sit on a chair and bend down from the waist as opposed to kneeling on the floor. That, was also about the time when I was due to leave for my umra.

Imagine my apprehension! I felt that I wouldn't be able to perform my prayers perfectly when I'm at the holiest place on earth! That didn't sit too well with me. Then, the Wise Owl told me that when we prostrate, that is when we are closest to God Almighty. Oh...no....that made me feel even worse!

Prophet saw said, “The closest that a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration.” (Muslim)

It was then that I understood that prostration or 'sujud' is actually a blessing granted by the Creator to His creations. It's a special kind of privilege that is accorded to us to enable us to be closest to Him. To have that blessing taken away from us is a catastrophe indeed.

Questions swirled in mind...has the blessing been taken away from me ? Did I do something wrong? Will my injury be permanent? Is God angry with me?

When God prescribed the five times daily prayers to us, He wanted us to be closest to Him, at least 34 times in a day. Now, if the King wants to see us 34 times in a day, every day, wouldn't we feel honoured ? Of course we would. In fact, we'd probably be over the moon. Then, shouldn't we be ecstatic and over the entire universe that God, the One who created us, wants us close to Him every single day ? 

Honestly, when I couldn't perform the 'sujud' properly, I felt as though the special privilege was yanked away from me. The realization that God is not letting me be closest to Him at that time was like a slap on the face. It was as if I was given a second class seat instead of the usual first class.

It's true when people say that, 'we don't appreciate what we have until it's gone'. Well...I really felt the loss. The emotion that I feel whenever my forehead touches the ground in humble prostration, is like calmness and peace blanketing my entire body and soul. Even my heart beats to a different rhythm. I am in a safe cocoon. In that precious moment, everything else fades in the background and the only thing that exist is Allah and me....

Thankfully, my injury healed right before I left for umra and I could perform my prayers properly and with ease. My injury was actually a lesson for me to learn.

So, the moral of the story, do as much 'sujud' as you possibly can, while you can. The privilege can be taken away from you in a blink of an eye and never be returned. Don't take it for granted.

Our beloved Prophet saw said,
“Prostrate much because there is no Muslim that prostrates to God except that God raises him one degree in Paradise by it and forgives for him a sin.” (Ahmad)

Life as it is.....

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

Lately, I find myself feeling melancholy. Maybe it's an age thing. You know, the older you get, the more you reflect on your life.

I have to admit that I do have many regrets. There are things that I wish that I hadn't done and words that shouldn't have been spoken. There are also things which I wish I had done and words that I should have spoken. But alas, we only get one chance at life and there's no turning back.

Although we are the authors of our own books of deeds, unlike other manuscripts, this book is one that is set in stone. It can't be un- written, amend or delete.

The scary part is, even though we are the authors of our books,  we have no control over the number of pages and the duration of writing. All we know that it will be published in the Hereafter for everyone to read.

Ideally, we should only pen down good stories about ourselves but as humans, we have our weaknesses. There are some days that I feel my eaman is so thin that it's literally hanging by a thread. These are the days when I feel that I've gone off path or just plain lazy.

Of course there are days when I feel that I'm on track and ready to take on the world. The ups and downs of my eaman level can be quite maddening sometimes but the Wise Owl always reminds me that the real struggle is to remain steadfast on the straight path. There will be days when I win and days when I lose.

"Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!"

Surah Al Baqara 2:214.

The above verse always keeps me grounded. No one said life will be easy but then again, no one said life will be impossible either. It's actually finding balance. Like Einstein said, life is like a bicycle. You will have ups and downs but you need to keep moving to keep your balance. The times when I feel like giving up, I'd always ask myself "what will you tell God later when He ask why?" Gulp!...I don't think I can answer that.

"And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the patient, Who says, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return”: They are those on whom (descend) Blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance."

(Al-Baqara 2:155-157)

So, every day we must try to write fantastic stories for our books. I know you've heard this many times and I know it's easier said than done but please try. That is exactly what I need to do also.

If you need help, regardless of how often, just ask. Remember, God is always near.....

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way."

Surah Al Baqara 2: 186

"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)"

Surah Ghafir 40:60

Old Friends..

“Soul mates recognise one another's vibration. They instantly fuse to the life force that surrounds their core of being.” ― Truth Devour,

Have you ever experienced a situation where you felt so comfortable with someone whom you've just met? It's like you've known this person forever. It's kinda cool and eerie at the same time.  

I have experienced it many times and each time it happens, my brain will be playing the 'Twilight Zone' song in my head. It's the unexplainable warm feeling that you feel and how you instantly gravitate towards the person that is just simply amazing. Some people call it reunion of 'kindred spirit'.

There are also people who will just simply hate you on sight and I've experienced that too. Ooooh...yeah.... As much as I hate to admit it, the feeling I felt was mutual.

Would you believe me if I told that you that in Islam, this deja vu feeling that we experience is actually real?

One day, the Wise Owl unraveled the mystery to me. He said that some souls met at the time when they were created by God. This was before the soul is blown into their respective body, in the mothers' womb.

Abu Hurairah reported Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying, “Souls are troops collected together and those who familiarized with each other (in the heaven from where these come) would have affinity, with one another (in the world) and those amongst them who opposed each other (in the Heaven) would also be divergent (in the world).” (Muslim)

Aahhh...now everything make supernatural sense to me! Like real life situation, there are bound to be people who you can get along with and some that you just can't.

Being an eccentric who lacks social skills, I would get very excited whenever I meet these kindred sisters. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone and there others just as eccentric as me.

If you think about it, we are not meeting a  new friend but we are actually meeting a long lost old friend.....SubhanAllah..

" Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?"
Surah Ar Rahman 55:13

Where it all begins..

“Intentions of a man reflects in his actions.” ― Sukant Ratnakar

I've always wondered in the past, as to why some things turned out differently than I planned or that it did not have the desired effect that I envisioned? Sooo.. I asked the Wise Owl (as usual!).  He told me that we, as human, can only plan but ultimately God decides the outcome and; everything boils down to 'intention'.

He said that God will give us what we want so be careful of what we ask for. If we do a certain act to get recognition from others, then that's exactly what we will get and only that. We might even end up feeling miserable after that.  However, if we do something with the sole intention of pleasing God, then, not only will we get rewards for doing it but also the satisfaction for doing it.

Sometimes, it could be that we started out with the correct intention but somehow,  somewhere along the way, external factors stepped in that made us lose focus. Our original intention got side-railed.

Therefore, before embarking on anything, double check our intention, to ensure it's correct. From time to time, re-check our intention to make sure it's still intact and has not morphed into something else. Then, leave everything to God. 

Umar b. al-Khattab narrated that the Prophet (S) said: Deeds are [a result] only of the intentions [of the actor], and an individual is [rewarded] only according to that which he intends. Therefore, whosoever has emigrated for the sake of Allah and His messenger, then his emigration was for Allah and His messenger. Whosoever emigrated for the sake of worldly gain, or a woman [whom he desires] to marry, then his emigration is for the sake of that which [moved him] to emigrate." Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.

Oh....The Wise Owl also warned me to be careful as to not use intention as an excuse to justify a wrongdoing. Darn! There goes my arguments!

The Wise Owl said that although deeds are based on intention, a good intention can never justify sin. A common example is a 'white lie' or the Malays call it 'bohong sunat'.

Seriously....there is no such thing in Islam! A lie is still a lie, regardless. A sin is still a sin.

“Surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful.”
(Surah az-Zumar 39:3

So, what the Wise Owl is saying is, I think, in a nutshell, set your intentions straight, do not falter and do not use intention as an excuse. Sound simple enough eh?. Errrr...

Respecting the Hijab

“What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.” ― Scott Westerfeld,

The topic of hijab is controversial to some, sensitive to others and a completely ‘no-go‘ zone to a few. There also, of course, sisters who are willing to discuss the topic with an open mind.

First and foremost, I'm not judging. I'm just giving a friendly advice based on observation and experience. I, myself, am far from perfect so let us try together.

Some sisters may argue that they should not be judged merely on their appearances and that donning the hijab is a personal choice. They should not be forced to do it. If they choose not to cover their head, the matter should be between them and God.

Personally, to me, yes, they are right. It's their personal right to obey God or to disobey and only God should judge them but, that does not mean that covering of the awra is not compulsory.

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.

Surah An-Nur 24:31

Now for those who are already in hijab. Alhamdulillah. It may not be an easy feat but trust me, the rewards are to die for!

But, however, may I just humbly request that you re- examine the reason or purpose or intention of you wearing the hijab. If the intention and purpose is to cover the awra and obey God, then please look at the definition and boundaries of our awra.

Abu Dawud (32:4092) - The Apostle of Allah... said: "O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to her face and hands"  This was narrated by Aisha.

This hadith shows that for a woman, the only parts of her body that are allowed to be uncovered are her face and hands. Even our feet must be covered. To expose our feet or our necks or our arms means to expose our awra eventhough our head may be covered.

The commandment to cover our awra came directly from God Almighty. To show respect to what had been commanded to us, we should follow the description of awra as told to us by our beloved Prophet pbuh. We must obey His rules on His terms not ours.

To defile, taint or tarnish the commandment by changing it to suit our whim and fancy is actually, to me, is akin to insulting the commandment. Let me give you an example, an employer gave specific instructions to the employee to perform a certain task. By not following the instructions or changing it without valid reasons would  amount to insubordination. Similarly between us and God. Any form of disobedience to Him is insubordination in the highest order.

If the intention is good, then we must be careful not to end up with an empty shell i.e.not reaping any rewards for deeds done  or worse still, incurring His wrath for failing to respect His Decree.

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet: men with whips like the tails of cattle, with which they strike the people, and women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait, with something on their heads that looks like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will never enter Paradise or even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be detected from such and such a distance.” (Narrated by Ahmad and by Muslim in al-Saheeh).

Respect the hijab. Take the trouble to learn about it. Ignorance is no excuse in this technology era where information is a the touch of a button.