What time is it?

"i'm sorry, no time for that"

"been there, done that! gotta run, time's running out,"

"put your pens down, it's time!"

"you know what? i just had the best time of my life,"
so, these are the lines that we hear about time. everybody wants to make use of their time doing what they thought is the best thing to do at that very moment. especially uni students who often claimed to be busy and so they come up with these smart timetables (or electronic planners or whatever it is that people use these days) to manage their time. Hm, well different people have different priorities and so they spend their time doing waht they thought is worthwhile. some people like spending time with family and friends and maybe the rest, doing their hobbies, etc.

Time is a gift. It is one of the best gift from Allah. why? because He actually gave us space and freedom in deciding how we should make use of the time. He gave us time to live and learn as we live. time is very precious because we won't even realise that we had been using the time. importances and priorities..what is our priority? for example the priority of a nurse is to care for the ailing, the farmer is his crops and the teacher is her students. what about priority of a Muslim? how do we relate this to time?

Surah al-Asr;

1. By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),

2. Verily Man is in loss,

3. Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

a Muslim who truly understands that this life is very sudden and believes of the Hereafter would agree that there is always limited time. How would a Muslim make use of every single second of his life so that he could succeed both in the world and the Hereafter when there is so little time and there's so many things to do? That is why it is important for us to dedicate the things that we do in our daily lives to the only One. that is the reason that we live for, it is stated in the Quran that:

Surah Adh-Dhariyat:

I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me. (51:56)

So, we as the servants of Allah, need to comply with this as it is our most innate responsibility as a Muslim. Dedication of everything that you do, even go to the uni, to study for your chem test, to visit your frieends, to lend an ear to somebody, to take a bath, everything!! these could all be dedicated for Allah, for He is the only reason that we live for.

So, don't waste time!! Do something that could contribute towards your iman. We don't have much time left, do we?

Shahadatul Haq 3

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim..

I havent written for quite some time since last post, because i was caught up with my pophlth101 assignment. but i'm quite free now, until this weekend when i really have to start my 'dating' with chem books and test papers because i have a chem test next monday.. and finals...they're coming soon!! oh well, no matter how busy we are, we just can't abandon our responsiblities towards the religion, can we? =)

So, the last post i talked about how is it that we could enrich our knowledge about Islam, in order to perform Shahadatul Haq. In this post, i'm going to talk about the ways to perform this obligation. So generally there's two types of Shahadah, which, one is incomplete without execution of the other. They are Shahadah Qauliyyah and Shahadah Fiiliyah. Qauliyah stands for Verbal whereas Fiiliyah means Action. In short, if we want to convey the message which Islam stood by, we have to be able to express it verbally and through our actions. =)

Shahadah Qauliyyah could be executed through various ways. We can be very creative in doing this. Let's just say you're a businessman and you want to sell off your products. How can you convey or relate to the consumers out there about what you are selling? In our case, the product that we want to advertise is Islam. You want people to see the beauty and goodness of Islam...but how? well, to start with, we could make use of the internet, this is a really useful tool to reach people. emails, windows live messenger, facebook, friendster, blogs...these are all handy mediums. say if you read something about islam on a website, you could perform Shahadatul haq right there and then by circulating the text through email and your networking profiles. isn't that easy? besides that, there are these badges bearing messages about islam, buy them! put them on your bags or pencil cases so that people can see them! i have one, it says 'Discover Islam, the True religion" and i pinned it on my pencil case. and so one day i happened to sit next to a kiwi during biosci107 and she actually asked me about Islam..!! (i will talk abt what we discussed in the next post maybe =)



Shahadah Fiiliyah on the other hand is the portrayal of the beauty of Islam through waht we practise everyday in our daily life as a Muslim. Like doing good deeds to others, pray, covering the aurat, etc. Whatever that we do,whether we realised it or not is reflected onto the religion. Therefore, cautiousness is a must in our everyday lives. We must also be brave in voicing out opinions and be open to initiate a discussion with others if necessary. For example, when you're having a group activity in a tutorial or sth like that, be active by volunteering to present your group work in front of the class. Be vocal, yes! We must show to others that we Muslims are not as conservative as they thought. We are opinionated people. Whenever there's a discussion going on in the class, tell others what you think about the topic that is being discussed. Get involved, be engaged. =) Indirectly, when you direct other people's attention to you, this is a kind of Shahadah Fiiliyah that you are doing. WHen they see you in hijab, and the way you speak, your body language, etc. these are the things that reflects you a Muslim, as a believer of Islam.

In conclusion, we should strive for the best in carrying out our responsibility as Muslim. in everything you do, everything you say,all of that could be your Shahadatul Haq. Carry it out with pride! Yes! =)

Syahadatul Haq 2 (What is your excuse?)

Salam. i apologize that the last post ended so abruptly that i did not have the chance to explain further. I wish to elaborate further on the grounds of why we should carry out the Shahadatul Haq responsibility. Like i said it is an innate obligation of all Muslims. It does not apply only to those who are 'assumed pious' only like ustaz, ustazah, or imam. Sadly that is the perception that we Muslim hold today. We are too ashamed to be labelled as 'ustazah' or 'ustaz' if we start telling others about Islam. Well, i can't deny that i too, once had that perception. That is why it is important for us to rectify our intentions now. Who are we to please? Who gave us all the intelligence and strength to go about our daily activities? Who created the Universe, the Sun, the Moon and all the natural resources? Who listens to you when your world comes crashing down and has the power to change your life? The ultimate One, only Allah. Why is it that we humans have various intentions that does not direct us towards Allah? Why is it that we do something to please others when they don't even care about us like Allah does..?

Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 143)

Thus if we Muslims recite and obey with the Shahadah that we admit in our prayers everyday, we should understand that it is crucial for us to convey to others about the beauty of Islam. Well, some of us may say that...'i don't really konw much about Islam to talk about it to others'. I understand.. and in fact that is the exact situation i am in right now =p so thatt is why we must look up for the knowledge. this is the opportunity for us to know our religion better!! you can get resources abt Islam just anywhere today. Books, blogs, articles, journals, preaches..you name it. On the internet, i'm sure if you google for 'Islam' there'll be thousands of hits. You can get to various sites which can teach you about Islam!

Here are some blogs on Islam which i find really enlightning, really really cool...

This blog has videos, music, free online books about Islam. Check it out!
http://harunyahya.com/

If you want to know more of inspiring stories since the era of the Prophet SAW, like stories of Khulafa Ar-Rashidin, etc., click these links
http://dinulislam.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/kisah-zinnirah/
http://tokoh1038.blogspot.com/2005/08/sultan-muhammad-al-fateh.html

How does science relates to Islam?
http://doktorbonot.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloom-myfans.blogspot.com/

And if you wish to read the Quranic translation in English..
http://www.harunyahya.com/Quran_translation/Quran_translation2.php

And do you know there's youtube specifically on Islam? Isn't that like...wow??
www.youtubeislam.com

Get inspired by Muslim nasheed groups like Native Deen, Yusuf Islam, Sami Yusuf, Raihan, etc.
DOwnload their songs and try to get the message from the songs..

http://www.nativedeen.com/ns/




Well, the point here is, you are the one who chooses to know or not to konw about your religion. But always remember that every step you take in effort to get closer to Allah, it counts.

...And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (al-Baqara, 143)

So, what is your excuse for not knowing about Islam? =)

If there is any interesting sites that you might know please share it with me too =)

Syahadatul Haq 1

More than once, i was with my Muslim friends, having lunch like always and usually we'll have other non-Muslim friends sitting with us. My greatest regret was that i always discuss about Islam only with my Muslim friends, but not with the non-Muslim...because of the realisation of shahadatul haq.
So waht is shahadatul haq?
Shahadah in Arabic means 'Witnessing' whereas Haq is the 'Truth'. So, shahadatul haq simply means the 'Witnessing of Truth'. But of course the meaning is not as simple as that. There are a lot of explanations and discussions that underpins Shahadatul Haq. More precise, Shahadatul Haq is, an innate obligation which we Muslims have to execute towards the human race who still has not realised true picture of Islam. For more information, you can purchase this book called "Shahadatul Haq' by Abu al-A'la al-Maududiyy. =)

So, what does being a Muslim means to you? So we've been taught since we were little to memorise the Rukun Islam (Five Pillars of Islam), Rukun Iman (Six Pillars of Iman), how to pray, how to recite quran, the tajwid, tarannum, how to perform haj, etc. Is that all? No. being Muslim does not revolve around 'knowing' about Islam and performing solah(prayers) 5 times a day only, but we have a much bigger responsibility to carry, that is to spread the 'sweetness of honey' called Islam. Why? because it is our Shahadatul Haq to perform this. Why? because we are the shuhada, that is the witnesses. We are the Witnesses of the Truth, that is we know that Islam is the true religion, and the only rightful Ilah(God) is Allah. We recite Shahadah in our prayers everyday, but sadly, we don't understand the true meaning of it. So, what if we are witnesses? We have to tell people waht we 'see'. Tell them about Islam, waht is it all about, attract them to get to know the Creator, why should we pray to Him, etc. And yes, there is so much to tell, so much work to do to perform our Shahadatul Haq.

Thus, have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Surah Al-Baqarah, 143)

So Allah had made informed to all Muslims that we are witnesses, with responsibilities. Because we are chosen by Him, to know and be informed of our obligations towards this religion. And those who 'turned their heels' from the Faith, will be questioned by Him on the Day of Resurrection.

I will explain more in my upcoming posts. Salam..

Me? Dakwah?

During the last usrah, i brought up sth that i really want to clarify with myself and maybe others who has the same thinking as well. "Am I eligible to be a pendakwah(sb who reminds others to do good and leave sinful doings)?" this question always pops up. Realising the sins that i have commited before and the sinful doings which i can't get rid of until now, i felt really really inferior. Like for instance, i am writing this blog, telling others about Islam and way of life, but it feels like i am not the right and eligible person to execute this such duty. So, something is holding me back.

We all have this stereotyped perception that a pendakwah should be entirely pious, and if it's a woman then she should be covering her aurat fully and stuff like that. But if she's not, and she's trying to tell you right from wrong in Islam, you'll be like," Hey, why don't you look at yourself in the mirror first before you come and advising me on Islam?" I don't deny that it is true that we have to correct ourselves first before others. My point here is, nobody is perfect. Allah meant for it to be that way. That is why we have to remind each other, according to my naqibah. Sometimes we see thinngs differently from others, so if sb tells you that she thinks what you are doing is wrong, the rightful response would be to think over that matter and if it is wrong, and you just realised it, you should be greatful. Because that person just saved you from committing sins. The usual reactions to this kind of situation is we try to look for the other person's fault to 'counter the attack'. If everyone has this kind of thinking, we are not moving forward in our thinking at all.

In addition, that person who gives 'dakwah' will have to analyze herself too. "walk the talk" they always say. This is our responsibility as a Muslim. We are all pendakwah. Allah said so that we are all caliphs on Earth. When Allah gave you ' a spoon of honey' and you've tasted the sweetness, what's wrong with sharing with others how it tasted like? SO that they too would want to taste it.

I personally think i can be a pendakwah, because when i 'talk the talk', indirectly i'm driving myself towards achieving what i preach(cewah..hehe..) in fact, i'll be more pressured to do what i told others because i want to protect the image of my religion (not because of sb would badtalk abt me or sth like that) in short, i want to portray the image that Muslims, meant waht they say and we definitlely "walk the talk, not simply talk the talk"!!