Minding my own business

MasyaaAllaah, I actually applied what I learned from the Pinocchio drama today.
The lesson from that drama was that, words or claims which is trivial to us, may be of a much greater effect on others – it may mean their livelihood or even their lives.

So today there was a discussion about the Bazaar Ramadan in Geylang. I was going to suggest a halal certificate for all stalls to be compulsory BUT…I realise I don’t know the situation at all. I have not stepped into any Bazaar Ramadan so far this year, what more in Geylang – didn’t go for many2 years. I don’t know the story of each stall holder. I don’t know how dire the situation is. I don’t know what they are selling. So just before I was going to suggest that, I remembered what was said in the drama about how careless comments can impact others. So I refrained from commenting on something which I have no full information, and on top of that, I am not directly concerned with, for fear that the idea will be being pushed forward and impacting people I have no relation to.

I should mind my own business. This is from a Sunnah too.
Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S.A W) said: “Indeed among the excellence of a person’s Islam is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him.”
[Chapters on Zuhd: Jami At-Tirmidhi]

May Allaah protect us from saying and commenting on unnecessary things.

p.s. It is not necessary for me, but it may be necessary for others who are directly experiencing them to assess the situation and make useful suggestions.

Ramadan Reflections 1438H . 2017G : To respond

I was learning Arabic - Sarf a bit, and we talked about this beautiful ayat.  This is from the Quran, Al Baqarah 2:186



The translations we read in books or phone apps are quite simple:
AND IF My servants ask thee about Me - behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way."

The translations simply translates the two words, أُجِيبُ and فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ with the word 'respond'.

However there is deeper meaning and differences between the two word forms used.

أُجِيبُ is a word of Form IV (4) in Sarf. Words used in Form 4 usually indicates an act to someone else and is INSTANT.

Whereas  يَسْتَجِيبُواْ is a word of Form X (10) in Sarf. Words used in Form 10 usually means - to ask for something, to make effort or try to get something.

This beautifully means that God will instantly respond to the calls of the caller when he calls. Then God asks us to TRY and MAKE EFFORT (not demanded immediately) to respond to HIM, in order that we may be successful. Responding to Allaah's calls and commands are only for our own good.
Subhanallaah, a Loving God.

He knows our weakness. We just need to TRY and MAKE EFFORT, sincere effort. And God will know of all our efforts, and our intentions, be it in secret or made known to others.

Ramadan Mubarak.
1st Ramadan 1438H

p.s. this may or may not be the only post on reflections in ramadan.  I have no fixed plans.

within my neurons - near Jumuah prayers : Dilemma in arts

I had an ustaz who told me to pursue my interest in making films and stories.   He said, we need somebody in that area.  There are so many worthless entertainment materials or some even misleading ones out there - we need to inject some good ones.  

He told me that, when I said I had some interest in teaching.  He said, we have many teachers already (in Singapore), but we don't have many people with some Islamic influences in the media area.

I have a few reasons (excuses?) that I am reluctant to do so, and one of the bigger reasons is, I don't know if I am strong enough to stand firm.   But then again, this is a jihad in itself right?  A struggle within myself - to be firm and hold my station.  A person is better rewarded when he is out there facing others, than sitting alone at home, in his own world. Hmmph.

Another reason or thought that I had was, 'what can my one or few small films / dramas do, in this ocean of nonsense.  This reminds me of what I read in Hikayat Abdullah, by Munshi Abdullah - he mentioned about his experience in advising people - "it's like pouring a glass of fresh water into the sea and expecting it to be less salty."  I thought about that idea in the literal sense, and found it funny. :D

Anyway, back to the story of my life - and so sometimes I feel like it's a losing battle.    And also, I did see a few good drama ideas being produced locally already.  Do I need to do more?

However now that I have wrote that 'excuse' down - I know I should not think that.  If I am a true Muslim, I should not think of it as a losing battle.  Even at the end of time, on the day that the world will come to an end, we are still asked to plant a seed/sapling if we can.  (Source : Sunnah.com)

I would also advise myself, that even if the story moves or inspires just one person to do good, that is rewarding already for me.   And of course, as Allaah tells Rasulullaah SAW, mentioned in the Quran,  our obligation is to remind them, and not to change them.  

Right.  This is me.  I tell myself my problems and I give myself answers.  
Sometimes, it still helps when you have someone to nudge you right?
And alhamdulillaah,  I have that someone. <3

In conclusion - let me go back to finishing my story idea for a TV drama.  
Pray for me that Allaah let me finish it and it will be accepted by that media company.

someone else's window

You’re looking into someone else’s window.

Seeing, feeling, believing

That it matters.

While your own life is slow

Once contenting

Now belittling

You think the grass is greener on the other side.

Once you’re there, you will realise

T’was just your shadow deceiving you from where you stand.

Stand, be confident of who you are

Make the most of where you live and breathe

Your life is as wonderful as you believe.

I am ill.

I am ill when I cannot control my heart and my body. No one can give us the strength to, except Allaah. So, ya Allaah, give me strength.