Abu Hurayra (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) once asked his companions: “Do you know who is the bankrupt one?”
The companions replied: “A bankrupt person amongst us is the one who neither has a dirham nor any possessions.”
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Rather, the bankrupt person from my Ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with a good record of Salah (Prayers), Sawm (Fasts) and Zakah (Obligatory Charity); but he would have offended a person, slandered another, unlawfully consumed the wealth of another person, murdered someone and hit someone. Each one of these people would be given some of the wrong-doer’s good deeds. If his good deeds fall short of settling the account, then their sins will be taken from their account and entered into the wrong-doer’s account and he would be thrown in the Hell Fire. {Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith Number 6251}
Madame Blossom's Book of Poems
Friday, May 31, 2013
I miss having (just) blogger.
I suddenly miss those times when I only write my thoughts in blogger and connect to other people only through their blogger pages. It seriously feels more peaceful, more controlled. More personal.
I'm feeling so melancholic and a bit depressed. Yesterday I had a bad experience on FB. On FB you always have to be on your guard you know. It can be quite tiring. Your post may be private or public as you set it, but your likes and comments are really dependent on the post privacy setting.
Twice now, I commented with the intention that it will only be read by the one who posted and their friends - not for ALL MY FB CONTACTS. However ALL OF THEM can read what I wrote about and I don't think everything we say will suit everyone who reads it. In this case, I commented on a seemingly innocent post. Then a friend of that person made some STUPID UNRELATED CRUDE remarks that make me sick in the stomach. My hubby texted me, asking me what that was all about. It suddenly hit me that everyone I know will also see that nonsense and maybe think I condone to that?!?! I immediately went to delete my comments because I don't want to be bloody related to that post at all now. My God! I felt SO ANGRY. I felt violated actually. I felt SICK.
I threw my phone far, I felt like I have to be away from this stupid social media.
This morning, I tried to reflect on it, if it is actually a small matter. But no.. I still feel the same. I contemplated deactivating my FB. I went in to do it.
Then there was the pages I created that is suppose to do good, that had to be removed. And then there is the good people group I'm in, and I thought.. OK there are some good things.. but it's REALLY sometimes quite challenging, especially when I'm in a hyper mood, to stop myself from commenting on my real friend's posts.
I finally didn't deactivate it. Maybe I'll create another account first - or maybe I'm just wasting my time thinking about this stupid thing. Stay off first la.. until I can discipline myself. Yeah right.
Insyaa Allah, if there is anything beneficial, I still want to share. No doubt it's a powerful tool to reach the masses. (Digression alert) Even if people don't actually take in what you say at that moment or ignore it, constant exposure to the idea will somehow, hopefully plant some good thoughts. Just like how mass media are doing it to promote stupid ideas.. we have to fight it using whatever tool we can have to reach the masses in the same way with something good.
In any case, I pray that Allah makes me stronger. I'm feeling more peaceful in blogger.
I'm feeling so melancholic and a bit depressed. Yesterday I had a bad experience on FB. On FB you always have to be on your guard you know. It can be quite tiring. Your post may be private or public as you set it, but your likes and comments are really dependent on the post privacy setting.
Twice now, I commented with the intention that it will only be read by the one who posted and their friends - not for ALL MY FB CONTACTS. However ALL OF THEM can read what I wrote about and I don't think everything we say will suit everyone who reads it. In this case, I commented on a seemingly innocent post. Then a friend of that person made some STUPID UNRELATED CRUDE remarks that make me sick in the stomach. My hubby texted me, asking me what that was all about. It suddenly hit me that everyone I know will also see that nonsense and maybe think I condone to that?!?! I immediately went to delete my comments because I don't want to be bloody related to that post at all now. My God! I felt SO ANGRY. I felt violated actually. I felt SICK.
I threw my phone far, I felt like I have to be away from this stupid social media.
This morning, I tried to reflect on it, if it is actually a small matter. But no.. I still feel the same. I contemplated deactivating my FB. I went in to do it.
Then there was the pages I created that is suppose to do good, that had to be removed. And then there is the good people group I'm in, and I thought.. OK there are some good things.. but it's REALLY sometimes quite challenging, especially when I'm in a hyper mood, to stop myself from commenting on my real friend's posts.
I finally didn't deactivate it. Maybe I'll create another account first - or maybe I'm just wasting my time thinking about this stupid thing. Stay off first la.. until I can discipline myself. Yeah right.
Insyaa Allah, if there is anything beneficial, I still want to share. No doubt it's a powerful tool to reach the masses. (Digression alert) Even if people don't actually take in what you say at that moment or ignore it, constant exposure to the idea will somehow, hopefully plant some good thoughts. Just like how mass media are doing it to promote stupid ideas.. we have to fight it using whatever tool we can have to reach the masses in the same way with something good.
In any case, I pray that Allah makes me stronger. I'm feeling more peaceful in blogger.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Don't use 'sexy'
Definition of SEXY (Merriam-Webster)
1 : sexually suggestive or stimulating
2 : generally attractive or interesting
When people use the word sexy, most of the time do they refer to 1 or 2 or a mix of both? The few times I've heard it being used, it has always given me the impression that it refers to definition 1, or a mix of both 1 & 2.
That word has never given me the idea that it's just 'generally attractive or interesting'. For if I genuinely, sincerely think that, I would use those words as it is - attractive or interesting.
A friend of mine has ever used this word to describe a book - which I guess refers to definition 2 in this case. Her then, 9 year old son, asked her why she had use that word to describe a book. He told her what he thinks the word means, which is as in definition 1. This is coming from the innocent and straight thinking 9 year old.
Why do we even want to expose our children to this idea? We have an option to use so many other words that does not provoke the unwanted thoughts. Why choose this word and give the listener or reader an option to choose definition 1 (which by the way is the main definition).
Another concern I have is when parents dress their little girls in suggestive clothes like tank tops or spaghetti straps or bikinis, and proudly announces on those pictures in social medias 'my sexy baby/girl'. Are you out of your mind? What are you doing? Why do you even want to promote the idea that your baby and/or daughters are 'sexually suggestive or stimulating'?? It's sick.
Some of them may respond saying that they don't mean it like that. Yes, they may not consciously mean it like that (although unconsciously they know that is what it means. To prove it, if their mother is attractive and/or interesting in any way, would anyone in their right mind describe their mother like that? You cannot fathom it right? I rest my case.). By using that word, aren't they giving the option to the reader/listener to generally interpret the meaning as such? Can you explain to each and every listener that that is not what you mean? Then you may as well use a clear word which is not provoking at all. Especially when there are so many perverts out there.
I know that some of these people, they are only ignorant followers. The media uses the word like nobody's business to describe, yes, sexily dressed personalities. The masses, as usual, gulps anything thrown at them without critical consideration. And in order to have the illusion of being accepted or being up to date with the 'world', they use the word without even thinking about what it means.
Why would you even suggest to the public that you or the girls/women who you love and care for, are 'sexually suggestive or stimulating'? WHY WHY WHY??
And we wonder again and again, we moan again and again at the worrying increase in sexual crimes.
My dear fellow human, LET'S START USING OUR INTELLECT.
(This is what God always ask of us in the Qu'ran - 'Will you not think?', 'Will you not consider?', 'Will you not reason?')
1 : sexually suggestive or stimulating
2 : generally attractive or interesting
When people use the word sexy, most of the time do they refer to 1 or 2 or a mix of both? The few times I've heard it being used, it has always given me the impression that it refers to definition 1, or a mix of both 1 & 2.
That word has never given me the idea that it's just 'generally attractive or interesting'. For if I genuinely, sincerely think that, I would use those words as it is - attractive or interesting.
A friend of mine has ever used this word to describe a book - which I guess refers to definition 2 in this case. Her then, 9 year old son, asked her why she had use that word to describe a book. He told her what he thinks the word means, which is as in definition 1. This is coming from the innocent and straight thinking 9 year old.
Why do we even want to expose our children to this idea? We have an option to use so many other words that does not provoke the unwanted thoughts. Why choose this word and give the listener or reader an option to choose definition 1 (which by the way is the main definition).
Another concern I have is when parents dress their little girls in suggestive clothes like tank tops or spaghetti straps or bikinis, and proudly announces on those pictures in social medias 'my sexy baby/girl'. Are you out of your mind? What are you doing? Why do you even want to promote the idea that your baby and/or daughters are 'sexually suggestive or stimulating'?? It's sick.
Some of them may respond saying that they don't mean it like that. Yes, they may not consciously mean it like that (although unconsciously they know that is what it means. To prove it, if their mother is attractive and/or interesting in any way, would anyone in their right mind describe their mother like that? You cannot fathom it right? I rest my case.). By using that word, aren't they giving the option to the reader/listener to generally interpret the meaning as such? Can you explain to each and every listener that that is not what you mean? Then you may as well use a clear word which is not provoking at all. Especially when there are so many perverts out there.
I know that some of these people, they are only ignorant followers. The media uses the word like nobody's business to describe, yes, sexily dressed personalities. The masses, as usual, gulps anything thrown at them without critical consideration. And in order to have the illusion of being accepted or being up to date with the 'world', they use the word without even thinking about what it means.
Why would you even suggest to the public that you or the girls/women who you love and care for, are 'sexually suggestive or stimulating'? WHY WHY WHY??
And we wonder again and again, we moan again and again at the worrying increase in sexual crimes.
My dear fellow human, LET'S START USING OUR INTELLECT.
(This is what God always ask of us in the Qu'ran - 'Will you not think?', 'Will you not consider?', 'Will you not reason?')
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tools for our soul
Our body and all it's parts such as the hands, legs, ears, eyes, mouth etc, are tools.
As long as we can make use of most of our tools, we should make good use of them to attain what is best for our souls.
Our tools will be witnesses on the Day of Judgement, to what we strive for.
May Allah give us beneficial wisdom and strength to be His good servant.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
And among His Signs - the barren land.
Death Valley, California is the lowest, hottest, driest location in North America. It is one of the hottest places on earth, nothing grows. However in 2004 6.9" rain fell on Death Valley and it comes to life.
From this barren land :
From this barren land :
to this :
Read more on about Death Valley and this phenomenon, here (NBC News) and here (Educational Transformation).
And by the way, in Educational Transformation, the Ken Robinson talk that he was referring to is this inspirational talk.
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"And among His Signs in this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things."
Al Quran, Fussilats 41:39 (translation of the Quran by Yusuf Ali)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Subliminal messaging vs Signs that are everywhere
The book I'm reading now is Vital Lies, Simple Truth by Daniel Goleman.
In it is speaks about how all information that we receive through our senses are actually stored somewhere, but only what is relevant to us, comes into the conscious state - or awareness.
"He would flash words for just a few thousandths of a second - so quickly that people did not even know they had seen a word. Then he would ask his subjects which word in a subsequent pair meant or looked the same as the one that had just flashed by. If for example, the unseen word was 'book,' the lookalike would be 'look' the related word 'read.'
Even though his subjects had not the slightest idea what the first word had been, they were right in their guessing about 90 percet of the time - an astounding rate of accuracy for people who did not even know they were reading." (Chapter : How much we can keep in mind - page 68)
This immediately reminded me of subliminal messaging. Used once, perhaps the effect is minimal, but constant exposure to the same subliminal message? What effect can that have, I wonder.
And then I though about how, perhaps we can put it to good use, perhaps in reminding people such things as 'God sees all that you do' or just'Allah'.
But then immediately I'm thinking.. of course, Allah knows better and Allah knows all. I'm thinking of 'sublime messages' in perhaps my videos, but Allah has made his Signs available everywhere. Look at the birds, the trees, look at the workings of ourselves! These are all Signs to remind us of God's existence and power. It will be of benefit for those who reflect, but will be ignored or dismissed by the arrogant.
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Ok, back to reading.
In it is speaks about how all information that we receive through our senses are actually stored somewhere, but only what is relevant to us, comes into the conscious state - or awareness.
"He would flash words for just a few thousandths of a second - so quickly that people did not even know they had seen a word. Then he would ask his subjects which word in a subsequent pair meant or looked the same as the one that had just flashed by. If for example, the unseen word was 'book,' the lookalike would be 'look' the related word 'read.'
Even though his subjects had not the slightest idea what the first word had been, they were right in their guessing about 90 percet of the time - an astounding rate of accuracy for people who did not even know they were reading." (Chapter : How much we can keep in mind - page 68)
This immediately reminded me of subliminal messaging. Used once, perhaps the effect is minimal, but constant exposure to the same subliminal message? What effect can that have, I wonder.
And then I though about how, perhaps we can put it to good use, perhaps in reminding people such things as 'God sees all that you do' or just'Allah'.
But then immediately I'm thinking.. of course, Allah knows better and Allah knows all. I'm thinking of 'sublime messages' in perhaps my videos, but Allah has made his Signs available everywhere. Look at the birds, the trees, look at the workings of ourselves! These are all Signs to remind us of God's existence and power. It will be of benefit for those who reflect, but will be ignored or dismissed by the arrogant.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ok, back to reading.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
The biggest enemy
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn't exist."
Oh yes, that line is from 'The Usual Suspects'. Thought provoking. Don't you think it is happening now?
People believe in make-believe more, than they believe in Reality, just because they've been exposed to make-believe day in day out, through TV shows and movies and advertisements. It's all about make-believe.
So much so, that if you talk about Satan to most people, it seems like something distant and almost unreal. Like how some people talk about Santa or toothfairy. They don't take it seriously.
Yes, this is our biggest enemy - bigger than even the bully who bullied you in school. But we don't realise that, or even if we do, we are putting him at the very back of our head, as if he is not around.
However, do know that he is not far. I find that, when you become conscious of his existence and his cause, you will notice the weird thoughts or feelings or urges or distractions, that comes out of nowhere. Just as :
"He said, 'Because You have put me in the wrong, I will lie in ambush for them on your straight path. Then I will surely come upon them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left, and then You will find most of them ungrateful.'" Al-A'raf 7:16-17. (Translation by Wahiduddin Khan.)
Left uncheck, it may lead you to think further evil thoughts or even proceed with your own evil actions.
How do we counter it?
(taken from Hisnul Muslim)
On supplications for expelling the devil and his whisperings.
1) Seeking refuge from devil. (A'udzubillaahi minash-shaiTonirrajiim)
2) The Adzan (Call to prayer).
3) Recitation of the Quran and the authentic texts of remembrance and supplications *
E.g. " Do not make your homes like the graveyards, indeed the devils flee from the house in which suraah Al-Baqarah has been read - related by Muslim 1/539. Also supplications and remembrance for the morning and evening, before sleep, when getting up, entering and leaving the toilet, entering and leaving the mosque, the recitation of Ayaatul Kursiyy and the last two verses of Suraah Al-Baqarah before sleeping, the azan etc.
Need to be alert. Need to treat the devil as he should be treated, THE enemy. Be on our guard always, by remembering Allah always and seeking Allah's protection.
Oh yes, that line is from 'The Usual Suspects'. Thought provoking. Don't you think it is happening now?
People believe in make-believe more, than they believe in Reality, just because they've been exposed to make-believe day in day out, through TV shows and movies and advertisements. It's all about make-believe.
So much so, that if you talk about Satan to most people, it seems like something distant and almost unreal. Like how some people talk about Santa or toothfairy. They don't take it seriously.
Yes, this is our biggest enemy - bigger than even the bully who bullied you in school. But we don't realise that, or even if we do, we are putting him at the very back of our head, as if he is not around.
However, do know that he is not far. I find that, when you become conscious of his existence and his cause, you will notice the weird thoughts or feelings or urges or distractions, that comes out of nowhere. Just as :
"He said, 'Because You have put me in the wrong, I will lie in ambush for them on your straight path. Then I will surely come upon them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left, and then You will find most of them ungrateful.'" Al-A'raf 7:16-17. (Translation by Wahiduddin Khan.)
Left uncheck, it may lead you to think further evil thoughts or even proceed with your own evil actions.
How do we counter it?
(taken from Hisnul Muslim)
On supplications for expelling the devil and his whisperings.
1) Seeking refuge from devil. (A'udzubillaahi minash-shaiTonirrajiim)
2) The Adzan (Call to prayer).
3) Recitation of the Quran and the authentic texts of remembrance and supplications *
E.g. " Do not make your homes like the graveyards, indeed the devils flee from the house in which suraah Al-Baqarah has been read - related by Muslim 1/539. Also supplications and remembrance for the morning and evening, before sleep, when getting up, entering and leaving the toilet, entering and leaving the mosque, the recitation of Ayaatul Kursiyy and the last two verses of Suraah Al-Baqarah before sleeping, the azan etc.
Need to be alert. Need to treat the devil as he should be treated, THE enemy. Be on our guard always, by remembering Allah always and seeking Allah's protection.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
False advertising
False advertising, deceiving consumers who are ever ready to consume anything new and branded.
I know some of us have drank and liked 'Vitaminwater'.
Image from GreenAustinNurse
The product turned out to be a lie. When sued, (according to this Huffingpost.com report), the producer defended themselves saying "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage." In other words, we're the fools.
That's, big ruthless corporations for you.
I know some of us have drank and liked 'Vitaminwater'.
Image from GreenAustinNurse
The product turned out to be a lie. When sued, (according to this Huffingpost.com report), the producer defended themselves saying "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage." In other words, we're the fools.
That's, big ruthless corporations for you.
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