Himmah 'Aaliyah

BIsmillahirrahmnirrahim....

Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefore with all due striving, and have Faith,- they are the ones whose striving is acceptable (to Allah) (17:19)

Dan sesiapa yang menghendaki akhirat dan berusaha mengerjakan amal-amal yang baik untuk akhirat dengan usaha yang layak baginya, sedang ia beriman, maka mereka yang demikian keadaannya, diberi pahala akan amal usahanya. (17:19)

remember the times when you wanted something so badly, how you worked your heart out to get it? remember how oblivious you are to the world when the only thing you think about is that 'something'? i recalled a few weeks before sitting for my SPM, i was so into studying, revising, not forgetting praying, qiam, reciting the Quran, etc. i remembered how determined i was to win that story telling competition at my school when i was in standard three. (spent nights and days talking to myself in front of the mirror, haha...but i lost..huhu). these were the times when we are at our best, the moments when we portray resiliency, passion, determination and endurance. Himmah A'aliyah. Means high-spirited and driven.

However it is essential that we are driven for the right causes. In our case, the utmost important cause is to inculcate that himmah in our iman towards Allah Taala. nevertheless, to have himmah in worldly affairs is not entirely wrong. it is just that the worldly himmah is not as 'divine' and not as 'highly'.

What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the hereafter, for those who are righteous. Will ye not then understand? (6:32)

Dan tidak (dinamakan) kehidupan dunia melainkan permainan yang sia-sia dan hiburan yang melalaikan: dan demi sesungguhnya negeri akhirat itu lebih baik bagi orang-orang yang bertaqwa. Oleh itu, tidakkah kamu mahu berfikir? (6:32)

Abu Qassim al-Junaid once told:

"the beginning to every matter is himmah. so, bear that himmah,"

To err is human. to maintain that himmah is not all easy. often we have many matters at hand and we tend to forget our main purpose of life. therefore to renew that himmah is crucial. say if you failed in something, you wouldn't want to stay in that sorry state for long, would you? you would want to 'recharge' and pull yourself back on track.

A few ways to renew your himmah is doa, ibadah, get busy with things to bring you closer to Allah, and zikrulmaut. for myself, it takes a bit of effort to gain that enthusiasm in obtaining that himmah aaliyah. at times i find myself thinking and pondering irrelavant matters. childish and immature, that's how i think of myself. many times, my friends would tell me how i think too much and i don't give myself much 'space to breathe'. (this is totally out of topic, but apa salahnya luahkan perasaan skali skala kan..haha)

whereas some of the factors that weaken our himmah is wahan (love of the world and dislike of death), futur, waste of time, laziness, and being acquainted with people of low himmah.

Narrated Thawban:

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He replied: No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation into your hearts. Someone asked: What is wahn (enervation). Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him): He replied: Love of the world and dislike of death.

may our efforts in increasing our himmah be accepted by Him and may we be the true winners in the end.

Wallahu a'alam...

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim....

This is what i have to say for myself:

I am contented and grateful with what i have now and i have no reason to look back at the past

I can't alter anything and i am not going to waste my time contemplating on things that are just
aren't true

Allah is enough for me and that is really what I need

Strong willed, determined, and patient

That's what Zinnirah is made of

Smile!! =D

Flawed and imperfection....a 'completion'...

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...



ramadhan is finally coming to an end. let us all make use of the remaining days in ramadhan to increase our ibadah and prayers. with ramadhan coming to an end, the spirit of worshiping ALlah should not cessate. instead, it should be a boost to our souls so that we are more prepared and geared up. for what?

"Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,

Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return"

(2:155, 156)

In this post, i wanted to be more personal. Well after reading other ikhwahs' and akhowats' blogs, i could see the personal side of them. especially in their relationship with Allah Taala. I assume that is what most people would like to read about. it gives you the aura of connectedness, doesn't it? the connection of faith and worship.

when i started writing this blog, there are two things that constantly intrude my mind :

1. the feeling of ujub (proud)
2. if i don't practice what i preach...(or write)

the feeling of ujub is a negative feeling which i think exist (could be very2x minimal or none at all) in everyone. this feeling comes from no other than the Syaitan. there are two ways which the syaitan will approach its targets (according to al-Muntalaq) . it's either persuading humans to do what Allah forbids (this is not unusual) or encourage humans to do good, but with the wrong intentions (not putting Allah as main intention). ujub is an instance of the latter part. this, i find really intricate. it is 'amazing' how syaitan is determined to stray us from the rightful path. the issue of the heart and intentions (niat) is very sensitive in Islam. it is imperative that we purify ourselves by reminding ourselves of our main purpose: none other than to please Allah Taala.

"And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things." (41:36)

"Dan jika syaitan mengganggumu dengan suatu godaan, maka mohonlah perlindungan kepada Allah. Sunggguh dia Maha Mendengar, Maha Mengetahui" (41:36)

the 'consequences' of writing matters pertaining religion is that you will be scrutinized, which is good because you can prevent yourself from doing things that Allah forbids. (this kind of attention is good, as long as your intention is to bring yourself closer to Allah) Even if the real situation is, you are not being under scrutiny, you yourself will feel like you are. at first, you are only being cautious of the perceptions of your fellow brothers and sisters in Islam, but later on, you will realise that the scrutinizing eyes of Allah Taala is the utmost importance above all. and besides that is the fact that if your actions speak differently from your speech, it could bring slanders unto the religion, plus the wrath of Allah Taala.

"Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (To practise it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand? "(2:44)

"Mengapa kamu menyuruh orang lain (mengerjakan kebajikan) sedangkan kamu melupakan dirimu sendiri, padahal kamu membaca al-Kitab? Tidakkah kamu mengerti?" (2:44)

Imam Hassan al-Banna:

"The art of preaching is different from the art of practising"

" Medan cakap tidak sama dengan medan amal"

i also wanted to say here that Allah created humans as imperfect. there are certain things that we overlooked, mistakes being done, things forgotten... as Muslims we should think good of others and not be quick to judge. What we can do is advise and remind each other in the most proper ways. I would really appreciate if someone pointed out what i did wrong (it may be hurtful) but it's a learning process. we learn from each other, that's for sure =)

Ma kana min khair famin ind Allah

wama kana min sharrin famin ind nafsi

(What is good is from Allah, and what is not is my own weakness)

Wallahu A'lam....

Strangers equal Winners

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange, so good tidings for the stranger.

indeed, the fortunate ones are those who are steadfast in their faith towards Allah Taala. in the currently challenging world, it is undeniable that it is difficult for Muslims to find a place in the society. maksiat is rife, violence unstoppable, crimes bloomed...and the list goes on. apparently, there are people these days who are willing to put aside Islam as their religion in order to feel accepted in the society. just look at our youths. in wanting to be 'accepted' in the society, they dare to defy the teachings of Islam and follow what is 'acceptable' in the community.

a common issue is the hijab. just because of some stereotyped perceptions that women who wear hijab are being oppressed, some Muslim girls are already feeling depressed. can you imagine? in order to prove to the whole world that they are the 'new independent Muslims', they boldly put off their hijab. where are your pride, sisters? don't get me wrong, dear sisters. it is out of love that i am telling this. i am in no position to judge you on what i see. Allah indeed is the best Judge and let us pray that we are under His protection at all times.

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 .....(24:31)

In a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, Rasulullah mentioned that true Muslims in the Last Days will be regarded as strange due to their adherence to Al-Quran and Sunnah. They are indeed, he added, are the fortunate ones. It is important for us to be strong and firm in carrying out our duty as a Muslim. It is also imperative to relate everything that we do back to al-Quran and Sunnah. what we see today is a mix of Islam and other culture. There is nothing special about the people who practised Islam anymore. Everything has blended in the waves of development and colonisation. Sad, really sad. Maybe most people thought Islam had liberated, but no. our conditions are exacerbating! Nobody is willing to uphold the once, sublime deen anymore.

At-Tabaraanee reported from the Hadith of Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet (pbuh) said: Those who clings to my Sunnah at the times of corruption of my ummah will receive the reward of a martyr.

How exactly do we bridge this gap? First things first. We need to rectify ourselves. I am saying this to others as well as myself.

Have you executed your responsibility as a Muslim? Do people see the Islam in you when they look at you? What about your characters and personalities? Do they reflect what is being emphasised in the al-Quran and Sunnah? Do you practise ukhuwah? Is al-Quran your best friend? Do you refer to it for guidance and finds solace in it? Do you cover your aurat fully? Do you take precautions when socialising with the opposite sex? Are you listening to the right music for entertainment? What do you do when you come across obscene acts in movies?

Believe me, i can go on and on. InsyaAllah, He will assist us in our effort to make amends and indeed He loves His servants who repents.

O ye who believe! Enter into Islam whole-heartedly; and follow not the footsteps of the evil one; for he is to you an avowed enemy.(2:208)

This is a post i dedicate especially for myself and i hope with this, i could contribute towards liberating Islam as a holistic religion. with this, i promise that i would try my best to uphold my religion with Izzah(pride). i will try, i will try. And so, let us all pray for Allah's forgiveness and may He accept our repentances (taubah) and may we be the true winners at the end of the line. InsyaAllah...

Ma kana min khair famin ind Allah

wama kana min sharrin famin ind nafsi

(What is good is from Allah, and what is not is my own weakness)

Wallahu A'lam....