Another strange topic...no wonder i named this blog the stranger huh?
so you would expect strange ideas out of this blog.
but dont make a mistake by thinking that strange things are usually wrong/ impossible/ cant exist in reality
simply because most people are not doing it doesnt mean its wrong.. its strange, but its not necessarily wrong. Especially so when we know our beloved Prophet Sallahu'alayhiwasallam had said:
Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers..
So you wanna receive glad tidings.. come lets be one of the strangers!
one girl used to be called heartless because she seldom react emotionally...
u cant hardly see her cry after being scolded
people may say anything that might upset her on her face but she wouldnt shed a tear (in front of that person)
she would just keep quiet, apologize and then move on with her life with a cheery face..
yes.. a cheery face even in front of that person who shouted on her face.
why?
because her heart is not hers, she doesnt own her heart,
she's heartless..
she has given her heart to The One Whom she knew will never fail her.. whatever happens!
The One Who is Eternal, The Most Loving, The Most Forgiving
she believe that her heart can only be safe in His hands and no one elses, even herself.
because other than Him are all creations.. fragile; ever-changing and temporary.
to put the 'king' (the heart) in the hands of these things is a colossal mistake which outcome we see almost everyday..
how many times do we came across the following headlines:
-a girl gave her heart to her boyfriend who then found another girl and leave her, commits a suicide
-businessman turned mad/ commits suicide following the fall of his business
-people killing themselves following the death of their loved one
cause without 'the king', how can one move on with life?
even if one does manage to move on.. he or she would lead a dead life..
Na'udhubillah,may Allah save us all
May Allah makes it easy for us to leave our hearts in His hands
It is He alone who can give us the understanding and the strength
to let go of our ego, to let go of our hearts
away from any other creations
away from our own nafs
so that then we shall be the 'heartless' with the most beautiful heart!
Ameen!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
TOTfulTOTs Muslim playgroup
Alhamdulillah, recently we..the perth's muslim foreigners, just started a new muslim playgroup for our kids aged between 6 months and 4 year-old.
We had 2 sessions already and so far i think its been entertaining not only for the kids but also for the mums. Its amazing how Allah can bring so much joy to one by just looking at the kids interact and play together.
Having a playgroup is a great way for the kids to learn and interact with others. ESpecially being the foreigners here, most of the time, the kids one and only loyal playmate would be their mums.
So just to get them out of their mama or mummy world for a while, this playgroup was born.
people call it mus'ab's playgroup, but if i could give it a name .. it would be TOTfulTOTs playgroup!
cool huh?!
Anyhow, just wanna share with you some of our activities. Just to give you an idea, perhaps yo can start your very own playgroup wherever you are.
Our session is every wednesday 10-12 at my house in victoria park.
we usually started off with colouring session. Since its a muslim playgroup, i printed out coloring templates with arabic alphabets from the internet.
We had 2 sessions already and so far i think its been entertaining not only for the kids but also for the mums. Its amazing how Allah can bring so much joy to one by just looking at the kids interact and play together.
Having a playgroup is a great way for the kids to learn and interact with others. ESpecially being the foreigners here, most of the time, the kids one and only loyal playmate would be their mums.
So just to get them out of their mama or mummy world for a while, this playgroup was born.
people call it mus'ab's playgroup, but if i could give it a name .. it would be TOTfulTOTs playgroup!
cool huh?!
Anyhow, just wanna share with you some of our activities. Just to give you an idea, perhaps yo can start your very own playgroup wherever you are.
Our session is every wednesday 10-12 at my house in victoria park.
we usually started off with colouring session. Since its a muslim playgroup, i printed out coloring templates with arabic alphabets from the internet.
 |
| From left: Mus'ab's, Maryam's, Mus'ab's, Iskandar's, Mus'ab's, Kak Yaya's. Yep! Mus'ab is a coloring-holic |
Then, craft-making!
 |
| Today we made rabbit masks! From left (with their masks): Iskandar, Mus'ab and kak yaya |
Then meal sharing!
And last but not least.. story telling.
Educative, Enlightening and Entertaining, insyaAllah.
May Allah guide our kids and may He guide us as parents in raising our kids.
May they all grow up to be pious and obedient servants of Allah.
Ameen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
A dust speck!
When we thought that we are soo significant and important in this world...
when we think that what matters in this world is OUR opinions, OUR desires or OUR feelings
lets take a time-out once in a while
look all around us
at the stars.. the vastness of the sky above us and the mysteries beyond them
then, may Allah make us realize how small we are...
a dust speck?
or maybe smaller?
AllahuAkbar!
Truly, Allah is The Great!
when we think that what matters in this world is OUR opinions, OUR desires or OUR feelings
lets take a time-out once in a while
look all around us
at the stars.. the vastness of the sky above us and the mysteries beyond them
then, may Allah make us realize how small we are...
a dust speck?
or maybe smaller?
AllahuAkbar!
Truly, Allah is The Great!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Satiety in Piety
A friend of mine once told me, when she just got back from india, that no wonder many people there strived so hard for the religion... they have nothing else to look forward to in this world...
They lead such a simple life in this world so that they can strive more for the religion.
Basically they have had enough of this deceiving temporary world. They couldnt imagine how they can have a better life here.. so, with strong believe in the HereAfter, while imagining the rewards promised by Allah- the unimagineable beauty of Jannah and the everlasting comfort therein, they decide to strive, struggle and sacrifice for the religion.
AllahuAkbar!
No wonder during the time of our beloved Prophet Sallahu'alayhiwasallam, we found most of his earlier companions Radiallahu'anhum were among the slaves and the poor. Infact, if we look through the stories of the earlier prophets 'Alayhimussalam, most of their early followers were also among the weak and the poor.
Maybe during those days, the fact that one's social status in the society was something that one inherit from one's parents and it was almost impossible to break through the system, these people, who were at the bottom of the hierarchy chose to strive and give their all to be on top in the next world... where where you'll be will not be determined by from which family you came from, or from the colour of your skin or how much wealth you accumulate, but what matters is how much you manage to please Allah by striving in his course.
These people, they are, in a way, satiated with this world, so they strive in piety.
Unfortunately, on the other hand, most of the time, we would find ourselves feeling complacent with the state of our iman and ever unsatiated with this world.
Somehow, we just want more of this world..and more and more!
When it comes to our cars for example, we may started of desiring a 60k car, then after having that car, we would put our eyes on a 100k car and the cycle continues.
In terms of certificates, for example, we may first wish to have a degree, then, once its achieved, we would found ourselves craving for a masters and a PhD and so on.
Don't get me wrong.. am not saying its wrong to progress in terms of education or wealth etc, but my point is, most of the time because of these neverending worldly wishes we tend to forget the HereAfter. Or maybe, sometimes we remember, but because we need to put some effort to achieve these worldly desires we just cant afford to spend some time or energy for our deen.
From my personal experience, its very difficult if not impossible to strive for your deen without sacrificing your worldly desires/ wishes and vice versa- its very hard to really strive for worldy achievements without having to sacrifice deen ...if not much, a little.
In religion somehow, we tend to be complacent with where we are. Our normal justifications would be:
-well, at least, i pray 5 times a day
-at least i dont go to the clubs
-at least i fast in ramadhan
-at least i know al-fatihah and an-nas
Its always at least, at least, at least!
Astaghfirullah.. guide us ya Allah, protect us from the ever deceiving devils and our own nafs!
But when it comes to our worldy wishes 'at least' would be the last words anyone would think of
Think of it... (reminding myself as well)- If we call ourselves ambitious,intelligent and we think we can achieve anything in this world, wouldnt we feel ashame of ourselves to see, in the next life, someone else who was seemingly weak and helpless in this temporary world enjoying a better life there in the Eternal world? Imagine how upset we would be towards ourselves to see someone enjoying a much greater reward in the HereAfter for deeds that we know we can easily do but yet due to our complacency we chose to ignore it.
Na'udhubillah, if we only realize it by that time, then its too late cause in that world there shall be no more striving and the hierarchy will be set... Not based on your wealth, family or intelligence but based on your piousness.
So now lets check where we are in deen?
Lets progress in deen!
Alhamdulillah, you've done the 5 obligatory salah, now try doing the nafl or supererogatory salah
You know an-naas now try memorizing al-Qaari'ah or some other longer surahs
ok you dont go to the clubs, now try stop going to the cinemas or listening to music!
the point is..complacency should never be our policy when it comes to our deen.
As much as we always want more for this world, we should have a much more eagerness to strive more for the next world. if only we realize how short this life is compared to the everlasting hereAfter, if we really believe that any of our desires that we holdback for the sake of Allah in this world, just for a short while, would bring a significant reward in the Eternal world, then we would sacrifice everything we've got of this temporary world. Only then that we would be amazed at how Bountiful Allah is that for such little sacrifice we did in this world, a great reward awaits us in the hereAfter.
The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning.(79:46)
They lead such a simple life in this world so that they can strive more for the religion.
Basically they have had enough of this deceiving temporary world. They couldnt imagine how they can have a better life here.. so, with strong believe in the HereAfter, while imagining the rewards promised by Allah- the unimagineable beauty of Jannah and the everlasting comfort therein, they decide to strive, struggle and sacrifice for the religion.
AllahuAkbar!
No wonder during the time of our beloved Prophet Sallahu'alayhiwasallam, we found most of his earlier companions Radiallahu'anhum were among the slaves and the poor. Infact, if we look through the stories of the earlier prophets 'Alayhimussalam, most of their early followers were also among the weak and the poor.
Maybe during those days, the fact that one's social status in the society was something that one inherit from one's parents and it was almost impossible to break through the system, these people, who were at the bottom of the hierarchy chose to strive and give their all to be on top in the next world... where where you'll be will not be determined by from which family you came from, or from the colour of your skin or how much wealth you accumulate, but what matters is how much you manage to please Allah by striving in his course.
These people, they are, in a way, satiated with this world, so they strive in piety.
Unfortunately, on the other hand, most of the time, we would find ourselves feeling complacent with the state of our iman and ever unsatiated with this world.
Somehow, we just want more of this world..and more and more!
When it comes to our cars for example, we may started of desiring a 60k car, then after having that car, we would put our eyes on a 100k car and the cycle continues.
In terms of certificates, for example, we may first wish to have a degree, then, once its achieved, we would found ourselves craving for a masters and a PhD and so on.
Don't get me wrong.. am not saying its wrong to progress in terms of education or wealth etc, but my point is, most of the time because of these neverending worldly wishes we tend to forget the HereAfter. Or maybe, sometimes we remember, but because we need to put some effort to achieve these worldly desires we just cant afford to spend some time or energy for our deen.
From my personal experience, its very difficult if not impossible to strive for your deen without sacrificing your worldly desires/ wishes and vice versa- its very hard to really strive for worldy achievements without having to sacrifice deen ...if not much, a little.
In religion somehow, we tend to be complacent with where we are. Our normal justifications would be:
-well, at least, i pray 5 times a day
-at least i dont go to the clubs
-at least i fast in ramadhan
-at least i know al-fatihah and an-nas
Its always at least, at least, at least!
Astaghfirullah.. guide us ya Allah, protect us from the ever deceiving devils and our own nafs!
But when it comes to our worldy wishes 'at least' would be the last words anyone would think of
Think of it... (reminding myself as well)- If we call ourselves ambitious,intelligent and we think we can achieve anything in this world, wouldnt we feel ashame of ourselves to see, in the next life, someone else who was seemingly weak and helpless in this temporary world enjoying a better life there in the Eternal world? Imagine how upset we would be towards ourselves to see someone enjoying a much greater reward in the HereAfter for deeds that we know we can easily do but yet due to our complacency we chose to ignore it.
Na'udhubillah, if we only realize it by that time, then its too late cause in that world there shall be no more striving and the hierarchy will be set... Not based on your wealth, family or intelligence but based on your piousness.
So now lets check where we are in deen?
Lets progress in deen!
Alhamdulillah, you've done the 5 obligatory salah, now try doing the nafl or supererogatory salah
You know an-naas now try memorizing al-Qaari'ah or some other longer surahs
ok you dont go to the clubs, now try stop going to the cinemas or listening to music!
the point is..complacency should never be our policy when it comes to our deen.
As much as we always want more for this world, we should have a much more eagerness to strive more for the next world. if only we realize how short this life is compared to the everlasting hereAfter, if we really believe that any of our desires that we holdback for the sake of Allah in this world, just for a short while, would bring a significant reward in the Eternal world, then we would sacrifice everything we've got of this temporary world. Only then that we would be amazed at how Bountiful Allah is that for such little sacrifice we did in this world, a great reward awaits us in the hereAfter.
The Day they see it, (it will be) as if they had not tarried (in this world) except an afternoon or a morning.(79:46)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Calvin'S Mind
"We're so busy watching out for whats just ahead of us that we dont take the time to enjoy where we are.."
-like when you try to enjoy sunday knowing that the next day is monday. the point is, be thankful with what we have now cause no one can be sure that ur gonna see monday or ur gonna have the chance to get that thing which is just ahead of you. The thing is if we put this temporary world as our aim, its difficult or should i say impossible for us to achieve this feeling of contentment, cause the reality of this world is everything is ever changing, fluctuating and temporary. So we have to set of purpose of life clear and aim for the permanent HereAfter.
"Often, it takes some calamity to make us live in the present.."
-but we should not wait for a calamity to strike us first before we wake up, cause sometimes, we may not be strong enough to face up with the reality..thus, naudhubillah it can cause us to drift further away from the truth.
May Allah Guide us all.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
FUN: Fulfilling / Fooling?
Everyone wants to have fun. Life is short.. lets have fun! We're still young, lets enjoy while we still can!
Yabadabadoo!!!
True.. its human nature to have fun but the thing is ...how do you have fun?
what do you do to get this thing called fun?
come to think of it what is fun? how do you define it?
Don't worry, am not a philosopher and am not looking forward to be one either cause Alhamdulillah, i have found the best, most comprehensive and perfect way of life, not only for myself but also for everyone in this world, wherever you are, whoever you may be.. how old or young..as long as you stick to this way of life you'd be safe and happy not only in this world but also in the next.
Of course.. the answer is.. I S L A M!
Some people thought that its impossible to be religious and have fun at the same time...
especially when that religion you're talking about here is Islam!
I mean if I try to put my self in those people's shoes, i would definitely wonder how in the world can that lady have fun being in that black dress everywhere?!
When everyone else is having fun 'socializing' in the clubs its difficult to imagine how one can have fun when his or her religion forbid its followers from going to those places where free-mixing and alcohols are the main things?
When the religion forbid pre-marital relationship- how can one really find their soulmate?
No music! No cinemas! No datings! No touching! = NO FUN?!
A famous scholar once mentioned that there are 2 main obstacles on the way to righteousness:
They are DESIRES & DOUBTS.
When one is so overpowered by their desires. When one is a servant to their own desires... one would do anything to satisfy it.
Islam teaches us to control our desires. Allah gave us the ability to think and to decide. So use them wisely. Choose to be a servant of God, not your desires.
Another thing is doubts. This is basically related to the state of our iman or belief in Allah. If we truly, strongly believe that Allah is Ever Watching each and every action of ours in this world and that we will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement on our smallest sins or deeds, then surely we would have no problem to practice complete deen in our lives. The thing is, since these things, the dark grave, punishments of Hell, the beautiful Jannah are not in front of our eyes now, while the gold and glitter of the 'fun' in this world is all over us, we're always in doubts... time and time again.
Allah, protect us ya Allah.
If you find your heart more inclined to listen to music than the holy Quran,
if you find your mind always thinking of that boy/girlfriend of yours,
if you find yourself in the cinema/ night-clubs every other weekend,
then beware! wake-up! before its too late!
Naudhubillah, lets have that fear in our hearts that because of our sins, our hearts might have been so blackened that we find solace in things that are forbidden by our Creator. O Allah clean our hearts!makes it easy for our hearts to love what You love, and hate what You hate.
So, then how do you have a fulfilling fun rather than a fooling fun?
Fulfilling fun is basically everything in the world that you can think of, except those that are forbidden by Allah. On the other hand fooling fun is those things you know is forbidden by Allah; its gonna cause you to loose your time, energy, and money, and worst.. more sins and more black spots on your heart!
so lets choose to have a halal, clean and fulfilling fun!
The following are some practical ways to avoid fooling fun and thus achieving fulfilling fun:
Yabadabadoo!!!
True.. its human nature to have fun but the thing is ...how do you have fun?
what do you do to get this thing called fun?
come to think of it what is fun? how do you define it?
Don't worry, am not a philosopher and am not looking forward to be one either cause Alhamdulillah, i have found the best, most comprehensive and perfect way of life, not only for myself but also for everyone in this world, wherever you are, whoever you may be.. how old or young..as long as you stick to this way of life you'd be safe and happy not only in this world but also in the next.
Of course.. the answer is.. I S L A M!
Some people thought that its impossible to be religious and have fun at the same time...
especially when that religion you're talking about here is Islam!
I mean if I try to put my self in those people's shoes, i would definitely wonder how in the world can that lady have fun being in that black dress everywhere?!
When everyone else is having fun 'socializing' in the clubs its difficult to imagine how one can have fun when his or her religion forbid its followers from going to those places where free-mixing and alcohols are the main things?
When the religion forbid pre-marital relationship- how can one really find their soulmate?
No music! No cinemas! No datings! No touching! = NO FUN?!
A famous scholar once mentioned that there are 2 main obstacles on the way to righteousness:
They are DESIRES & DOUBTS.
When one is so overpowered by their desires. When one is a servant to their own desires... one would do anything to satisfy it.
Islam teaches us to control our desires. Allah gave us the ability to think and to decide. So use them wisely. Choose to be a servant of God, not your desires.
Another thing is doubts. This is basically related to the state of our iman or belief in Allah. If we truly, strongly believe that Allah is Ever Watching each and every action of ours in this world and that we will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement on our smallest sins or deeds, then surely we would have no problem to practice complete deen in our lives. The thing is, since these things, the dark grave, punishments of Hell, the beautiful Jannah are not in front of our eyes now, while the gold and glitter of the 'fun' in this world is all over us, we're always in doubts... time and time again.
Allah, protect us ya Allah.
If you find your heart more inclined to listen to music than the holy Quran,
if you find your mind always thinking of that boy/girlfriend of yours,
if you find yourself in the cinema/ night-clubs every other weekend,
then beware! wake-up! before its too late!
dont let your desires drive you in this life! let the deen be your driver!
for desires can never find satisfaction in this temporary world.
Abu Umamah RadiAllahu'anhu narrates: Rasulullah Sallallahu'alayhiwasallam said: If anyone loves for Allah's sake, hates for Allah's sake, gives for Allah's sake and withholds for Allah's sake, he will progress towards perfection of ima. (Abu Dawud)
So, then how do you have a fulfilling fun rather than a fooling fun?
Fulfilling fun is basically everything in the world that you can think of, except those that are forbidden by Allah. On the other hand fooling fun is those things you know is forbidden by Allah; its gonna cause you to loose your time, energy, and money, and worst.. more sins and more black spots on your heart!
so lets choose to have a halal, clean and fulfilling fun!
The following are some practical ways to avoid fooling fun and thus achieving fulfilling fun:
- have the intention first! decide to please Allah, NOT your desires. get your principle of life right- that you're in this world to serve Allah, NOT to serve YOUR desires!
- pray to Allah so Allah makes it easy.
- believe that death can come to you anytime and you dont want to die while sinning.
- realize that Allah is Ever-Watching
- try to be with those who can remind you of Allah, choose the right company
Ibne 'Abbas RadiAllahu'anhuma narrates: Rasulullah Sallallahu'alayhiwasallam was asked: Which of our companions is the best? He replied: The one, when you see him, he reminds you of Allah; and when he talks, your deeds improve; and his deeds (actions) remind you of the HereAfter. (Abu Ya;la and Majma-'uz-Zawaid)
6. try as much as possible to be in an Islam-friendly environment which, nowadays can sometimes be very difficult to find but at least if you try to look for it, insyaAllah you'll find it- the gatherings of remembrance of Allah. The thing with us is we dont even have that urge to look for it, Astaghfirullah.
7. stay away from the bad places and the bad guys!
8. explore your other interests ie if you're fond of baking, instead of spending your time in the cinema on the weekend, maybe you can spend it in the kitchen, bake for the family etc.
Listing down these steps in words really is easy, but to put them into practice needs a lot of effort and sacrifice. Believe that behind every sacrifices and difficulties for the sake of Allah, there lies great rewards as promised by Allah.
May Allah give us the strength! Amin.
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