A message without words

What if I tell you, that we can send and receive some messages without the need for words.

Messages that are transmitted by other than words, carry such deeper meanings, and emotions and awesomeness.   Messages that when transformed into words, or worse, into languages with limited expressions and descriptions, loses it's grandeur, and limits it's meanings. 

We can get these messages if we observe and ponder over them, and pay attention to receiving them.

Allaah tells us, that his ayahs are in the heavens and on earth, it is in everything that we can observe and in those which man have yet to discover.   

I am in awe, just thinking about them and absorbing them all - these signs (ayahs) that are all around us.    I no longer want to try to reduce everything into limited words. 

I want the ayahs to engulf my heart, granting me understanding of God's infinite knowledge and wisdom and intelligence and beauty and power and more.   Aamiin.

a message without words

yet, able to engulf the heart and soul

one that makes you believe,

gives hope and security, and saves your dignity

a message that you see, hear or feel

that you need not try to convey, within you, let it stay

breathe, think, seek and pray.

Why does God lead some people astray?

Bismillaahirrahmanirrahim

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, Most Beneficent

"...He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He sends astray - never will you find for him a protecting guide." (18:17) - among a few other verses on this subject.

This is among some tough questions in Islam.  There is not a straight forward answer and it takes many aspects of our iman to take this in. 

God has answered this question in the Quran.  As Sajdah (32:13) transliterated:  "And if We had willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me will come into effect [that] "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and people all together."

This is a very big test in gauging our humility, as a servant of God who has no power over God's will.  This puts us in our place.  Only our understanding of God's power and our true humility as a servant of God can make us accept this wholeheartedly - that we accept the fact that we ARE truly at His Mercy.  It is God who has ultimate power over all of us and all of the universe.    We have no power but to SURRENDER OURSELVES to God -  which is what it means to be a true Muslim. Allaahu Akbar.

As Muslims, we understand that God knows best, and we know next to nothing - we, as in we human, including the most knowledgeable of scientists.  We know only what God allows us to know.  (2:32 : "They [the Angels] said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing,1 the Wise.")

We cannot be so arrogant as to demand to know the meaning behind every of God's actions and Words, as if we can understand everything fully.  We cannot encompass and understand the much greater part of God's plans and God's knowledge.  We accept that God knows and we know not.  

But then again, as a Muslim, the other aspect of our iman, tells us to put our full trust in God " for Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." (3:159).  God has promised, and His promise is true, that if we have faith in the One God, we don't assign partners to Him in our worship, we believe in the akhirah and we do good, then, we have nothing to fear.   Put our trust in him and just focus on our iman and good deeds. 

God is Most Merciful, as God most frequently and repeatedly state in the Quran, He is Ar-Rahman.  His Mercy will reign in Akhirah.  "Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:  When Allah created the creation as He was upon the Throne, He put down in His Book: Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath." Sahih Muslim  

So the answer is to surrender fully, put your trust in Allaah and Allaah will be as how His servants deem Him to be. 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' " Sahih Bukhari

May Allaah grant us humility as His servants, grant us wisdom and understanding, a good iman and a good result in the world and the Hereafter.  Aamiin.

within my neurons : 5th Jan 2017, Isya' (We are our souls)

I heard in a religious lecture once, that we are truly, our souls.  When a person is dead, well, at least in the Muslim environment, we'd refer to the body, as 'the body'.  We don't comfortably or naturally still refer to the body by the person's name.   It has become the body of so-and-so.   Why?

WE, are not our body or how we look or how we are physically.  We are our souls.   Our body is truly just a container for us, for our souls.

So I had a thought just now, triggered by a drama of a person having a artificial heart transplanted into his body.  People have been known to live with artifical heart, artificial or make-do kidneys, artificial hands, legs, eyes, face - which are all just instruments for our souls.

Only so far, I don't think we can actually have an artificial brain in a person.  The brain is the window to the soul for our body.   Without the brain, I am not sure how we would access the current world and vice versa.

Back to the thought, the thought is that : if everything else is artificial except for the brain - I imagine, we would still be us.  We can be like the tin-man with a brain, it'll still be us.

Although the brain is also an instrument for our souls, it is an instrument that is beyond the capability of man to reproduce - as it interacts with the soul that our human science is still unable to access or study.

There are just some things in the world, that will be beyond man's intelligence to grasps. One of them is the soul - as God has mentioned in the Quran:

"And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little." (Al Isra 17:85)

*moment of awe*
Subhanallaah.. God is truly the most amazing.

Dear My Friends (Dear Friends of Mine)

This is the title of a Korean Drama that I'm currently watching, written by Noh Hee-kyung.

This is going to be my benchmark to write stories. I'm not saying I can write as good as this, but it's going to inspire me to try to give better.

I have not seen anything to deep and complex, touching and reflective at the same time. I must say Noh Hee-kyung is an inspirational writer.

The twist to this is that, the main characters in this drama, and there are quite a few, are mostly above 60 years old.

Almost every episode so far (now I'm at 7) are as good. I've cried in most of them, not because they are super sad, but because they touched the core of my heart. Especially of a son's love of his mother (Lee Kwang Soo). Highly recommended, if you're going to watch Korean. Only of course, after this, you'd probably be disappointed with most of the other Korean dramas.

It also makes me reflect on myself growing old - how it would apply in my context as a Muslim. I'd like for my soul to adapt graciously to my body growing old.

Back to my writing.. it's inspiring me to continue with some stories I've left half way written. :P Insyaa Allaah.

Gaja!


http://kissasian.com/Drama/Dear-My-Friends

Cover your vessels

I came across the article : Never Drink the Water from your Nightstand that explains how drinking from a water left overnight, can be harmful because it is susceptible to particle dusts or air-borne bacteria.  

This immediately reminded me of the the hadith about leaving water vessels uncovered at night :

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said:

When the wings of the night (spread) or it is night, restrain your children (from going out), for the Satan is abroad at that time, and when a part of the night is passed, free them and shut the doors. making mention of God's name, for the Satan does not open a closed door; and tighten the (mouths of waterskins and mention the name of Allah, cover your utensils and mention the name of Allah even though you should just put something on them, and extinguish your lamps.

Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/36/124

It proves to me yet again - how following sunnah and especially God's commands - are only for our own benefit.  God knows best what is good for us and what may be harmful for us.

..... (because silence can be poetic too)

.....

I want to make a leave application
A month or two long
From all the positions I'm holding
From being me.
I don't want to see anyone
I don't want to do what I must do
Other than my duties to God
Other than for God
…..
…..
…..
…..
But,
…..
Being a wife is also a sacred duty
Being a daughter, a mother and being me.
…..
…..
…..
…..
Or maybe I can do what Abraham A.S had to do
Be silent for three days
For a different reason of course
For peace and tranquility if I may
…..
…..
All these wishful thoughts,
I think I will do my solat.
~ Madame Blossom ~
*Solat, is a Muslim prayer act, with a defined set of body positions and recitations.

Boyhood

It has to be the most epic film I've ever seen - in it's simplicity. Masyaa Allaah. So amazing, that this film is made over a span of 12 years, and that you actually observe the boy grow - and how life is mundane, and how it could be so empty, without a real purpose in life. They just try to survive day by day, moment by moment.

So much patience and discipline to be able to carry this out. It's what is amazing about this man, Richard Linklater, writer, director.

There was no 'climax' in this story - what is demanded of me all the time when I submit stories. I get turned off. Cause life does not necessaryly have climaxes.

If Allaah has written for me to make a film - I hope it's as moving and simple as this. Insyaa Allaah.

My husband, didn't like the movie. He got bored 15 mins into the film. He and I are different. I do realise, the stories I have that I wish to make into films, will not be of everyone's taste. If asked to describe the target audience - I'd say, those who enjoyed 'Before Sunrise' 'Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, Boyhood' Those group of people.

Seeing is no longer necessarily believing.

Seeing is no longer necessarily believing, especially when seen on the screen. Only seeing with your own eyes, in person can more safely constitute believing. Why?

The news as most of us are learning now, is most times political. What is reported in the News, or everything on TV for that matter, is in accordance to the agenda of the ruling party - whoever that may be. The TV company owner(s) or the government. The images chosen to be shown on TV would of course support their agenda.

Example, depending on the motives, a TV crew be asked to find a corner that looks normal to shoot an interview in a house that is mostly run-down - and all audience will see is that, the interviewee is in an acceptable condition place.

Or, artistes are most of the time, seen on TV - happy, contented and living a life that's out of this world. Behind the screen, just few seconds before the shoot, they may be shouting at someone or sad over something and audience don't see those.

If people spend too much time learning what's on the screen, they loose their sense of what reality is, what matters more in life, the real problems and issues, and always feel that their life is inadequate - for they can never match the images of their favourite artistes that is appearing on the screens.

Even 'Reality TV' is not real. Producers show what they want to show or may even coax participants to act in a certain way or say certain things to create 'drama' or make the episode more interesting.

As such, seeing is no longer believing, especially when seen on screen. Nothing beats experiencing a situation, or a place or someone, in person.

We need to go out to see and to live.

I am Muslim

I just finished reading I am Muslim by Dina Zaman. My sis in law - asked me to read it. She said I'd find it interesting.

It is interesting, I must say. Most interesting article for me is the one about the bomoh with ken and barbie dolls hanging from the ceiling. It's sad too - the state of most Muslims in Malaysia - and I'm sure a lot like those in Singapore too. But perhaps because Singapore is very much smaller, the issue is not that obvious or not spoken about openly. Or we just don't mix in the same circle? Even if you are, you don't talk much about religion, only to close friends you do - or if you're an asatizah.

It seems like talking about religion is uncool. I wonder if people get offended or uncomfortable if we ask them what their religion is. Don't care much about the race. It should it be as practical as asking, 'what do you do?'. Right?

Sheikh Dr Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia, said in his talk on 1st Oct at Grand Hyatt Singapore, his Christians friends said, Muslims are always talking about religion. Talk about something else! He said to them, that they in turn, don't talk about religion at all!

Christians and others, should talk more about their religion - and Muslims - I wouldn't say don't talk about it at all. You'd have to define what it means to talk about it. Because basically everything good that we should do in our everyday life, is to please Allah. And that is our religion - our way of life. So how not to talk about religion so much?

Kan?

Fate 'R Us.

Whatever we are fated with, is a test for us. God's tests come in different forms and intensity - for each one of us - all of it, we will have the capacity to bear (as God has promised). A favourable result from these tests, is that we come out of it, a stronger and better person (in various ways) - it depends on how we choose to face it.

God may test us with loss of goods, health, loved ones to see - Are we patient? Do we persevere?
Then God may test others with great knowledge or fame or wealth - Are they thankful? Do they forget God? Do they forget their duty to give back to the community? Are they arrogant?

A person may also choose to blame fate (whatever his fate may be) for everything that he is grouchy about. I believe that if a grouchy person becomes wealthy, he will only be a wealthy grouchy person (still).

I saw a video on Youtube about Poverty in America - and it strengthens my belief that everything happens with a hikmah. Although I cried at their plight, the children and their parents - the pain they had to go through - I was very relieved/happy/glad/proud to learn that these experiences have made these kids appreciate life, their parents, other people. They become more matured and are more sensitive towards others. A young girl says, when she grows up, she will definitely (insyaAllah), help others like her cause she now knows what it's like to be poor and hungry.

I don't have a diploma in Islamic studies

I do not have a Diploma in Islamic Studies. Despite having attended 4 years of twice-weekly classes I didn't get it - because I didn't re-sit for my Balaghah 3rd Sem exams. My friends who did, said it was easy, almost an open book paper. I learnt balaghah - it's like learning prose in Arabic in the 3rd and 4th year of the course. Re sitting for the paper was done like almost 2 years after the subject ended.

I declined to go, because I don't see the point of it all. Truth be told, I still cannot speak Arabic. I understand some words in the Quran, alhamdulillah - some progress than not having learnt any Arabic at all, but I still don't understand much of it's grammar and sentence construct, let alone the truely rich meanings of the way the words are used in Arabic. And you ask me to sit for an almost open book paper on Balaghah, and show that I passed Balaghah when in fact I know next to nothing on this subject? I feel like I'm lying. In fact wouldn't I be?

Another justification I had was that - I started taking the course, not with the aim of paper chase. I truly was in search of a structured class on Islam - and found the diploma course to fit my objectives. Getting the Diploma itself, was not important to me. Most of all, I do not subscribe to going up on stage, especially with robes or what nots, to receive this paper and have pictures taken and everything. Doesn't add anything to anything - except time, and money and dosa on my part for later or even now, questioning the absurdity of it all.

These qualification papers can be quite misleading. Who is to say, someone with these qualifications will sincerely spread the teachings of Islam, because he/she truly believes in the product he/she is delivering? Or that they are only doing it just to support their livelihood? How do you differentiate between one who truly grasps the meaning of Islam, from the one who is just good at memorising and spewing out what he read out of a book, with no opinion of his own when faced with situations that requires more thought and sincerity and compassion?

Of course this problem is not only in Islamic studies but also in the academic studies (I don't like these terms). A LOT of teachers are teaching without thinking. They are just going through motions, finishing their syllabuses, targeting a certain number or passes - doesn't matter if the kids truly understand or they just have good memories. And most teachers may not even believe or have love for the subjects they are teaching, themselves.

You will naturally become a good salesman when you truly believe in the product you are selling. That's why word-of-mouth is very powerful - because people who spread those words (these unpaid effective salespeople ) truly believe in the product when they tell it to their family and friends.

I believe if you truly want to impart an information - the same strong belief in the knowledge you are imparting - must exist in the one imparting the knowledge. Which then leads me to want to talk about - what is true knowledge?? But I haven't even come to the point of this entry - so another time perhaps.

NOW, I'm in a dilemma. With regards to the earlier post about 'the need to reach out', I want to impart these religious... what can I say? information? - it's not so much knowledge - it's more about sharing the light or this sense of security or the iman I'm feeling - to the needy children. More than just money or the ability to attend academic schools - they need iman that will help them through their lives, be it hard or easy in future.

I believe a lot of them are also not sending their children to madrasah (which may or may not have any effect on these kids anyway) because they cannot afford to pay the fees, or they don't know that they can ask to attend for free (boleh kan?), or just because they don't know or they are not confident about filling up forms.

Seriously, filling up forms can also deter one from participating. I, the not needy and somewhat educated one, am one example of that. So many film festivals I could have entered if I can just send the link to my videos. But no... I have to fill up forms, give some technical info about my video, give them 300dpi pictures (and the sponsors sometimes don't even know what is 300 dpi pictures), provide a bio of directors etc etc - and I have so far only submitted 2 forms, in my 1.5 years of filmmaking. and they didn't get selected because I guess my answers and posters/pictures are not up to standard. If you talk about the story - I have seen worse stories entering the festivals. I guess I need to get into the groove of film marketing and submitting forms. But I haven't.

Oops, sorry I digressed.

Yup.. so as I was saying, I want to share Islam, with my fellow needy sisters and their children. But now I'm thinking - why would they trust me? should they trust me as someone who will not share deviant teachings of Islam? I guess they probably wouldn't ask for those - but what if some authorities ask? And now I'm regretting not getting that stupid paper (having paid for the 4 yrs also) that says I have a 'diploma' in islamic studies - what does that mean anyway???

But, I don't want to create excuses for not starting. :(
Alhamdulillah, I do have a certificate which they gave after 2 years through the program. I just have to go search for it. And oh yes, maybe I should go apply for that asatizah recognition thingy at MUIS too - to 'safeguard' me from being accused of daring to 'teach' Islam without due qualifications and recognition. I guess it's for the best of the ummah too, to safeguard them - not that it has no loopholes but hey, we can't have a perfect system - we do the best we can only, then we tawakkal.

Ok lah. I'm good at this.. talking myself out of my own worries and problems. Thanks for listening.

Now for some action.


** Update 2013 - After an appeal, and doing a project on Balaghah - I was finally awarded the Diploma. :D Alhamdulillah!

help us help others help us help others

If we ask ourselves, which is more important - our outcome in dunia or our outcome in akhirah?
Most of us would say 'akhirah'. But most of the times, our actions, and what we spend time on, and our endeavours don't really reflect that.

Ya Allah, guide me to the Light, to the path that is straight. Ameen.

(How is the above paragraph related to what's coming next? well, it's complicated, there was a lot of detours and u-turns within my neurons but the start point and end point were about the low income families. Without further a-confusion...)

Yesterday, was the first time for me to visit a low income family, in my adult life. When I was young, I remember having friends and relatives staying in 1 room flats, and as a kid, to me they seemed happy, no troubles. I myself was living in a 3-room flat.

Anyway.. this family doesn't have enough money to send their children to preschool, which can cost anything between S$75 and above per month. So, their 5 & 6 year daughters, have not attended school before, and the 6 yr old will be in Pri 1 next year. The authorities have identified kids that did not attend pre-school and asked the various races organisations to assist these children. Mendaki will be helping the Malay families. They are going to hold a program whereby they will try to instill reading and writing skills within the 1-2 months at the end of this year - before they enter Primary School - as much as they can.

I can't imagine how these kids will cope with school in Singapore. Even the 'educated' parents have a hard time tutoring their primary school kids - what more these parents who are not good in English to start with. I don't like our education system, the subjects and the test and exams methods. It seems to be more about the ability to confuse the kids as much as possible - then to allow them to learn and achieve something beneficial for real life. I mean seriously, in my life so far, I have not yet come across any use for 2pir or the sin cos of stuff I learnt so hard in school. Unless I was going to work in a place that requires those knowledge and abilities.

And, wouldn't people learn faster and better, when they are in need of the skill and knowledge? Does every single person in Singapore or in the world, need to learn sin cos, to read and analyse Shakespeare? Full of meaningless and/or superficial time-wasting effort. Now children lack morale, compassion - basically almost lacking the skills to live with others considerately.

Actually I want to talk about the low income families and how they can be helped. How do you help them if you're not sure what they are lacking. I mean, yes, I can see that they are living very modestly - no furniture except for a low table. A very old TV - which I don't care for. Seriously.. they can, not have TV. I want to buy them books instead. But I THINK they have just enough food. NO, I will NOT bring the kids to McDonalds to allow them to even start having cravings for McD's junk food.

You know what's missing? Regular religious assistance! Are we providing them with FREE and regular food for the soul? Perhaps we can provide them with this - to help them prepare mentally, physically, spiritually of all the tests they are going through. We can also provide moral support, letting them know, that we will always be there in case they need something.

God help us all in our efforts if it will lead to goodness. Ameen.

As Muslims, amongst our values are..

I am feeling kind of restless today. The feeling of wanting to do/think/learn/write much more than I currently possibly physically and psychologically can.

Or it could be pms.

Right, blame it on pms.

I'm reading this book called 'The Places In Between'. It's about the author, Rory Stewart's journey through Afghanistan by FOOT. That's right, he walked across Afghan, across the snowy mountainous areas too. He came upon villages and villagers that people in the news don't even mention, or may not even know of - and therefore you and I, don't even know exist. Unless you read this book.
He spoke of our misperceptions of other people's wants and priorities in life. Most of us think that everyone wants the same things as us.

It's interesting to note how our priorities differ. Even as Muslims. E.g. there, it seems that amongst their biggest concern (besides the usual prayers & fasting) and what they try hard to comply with, as Muslims - is to ensure that their guests are taken care of, providing food and lodging. They feel a strong obligation to do so. I don't believe we, in Singapore feel the obligation as much - that you would take in a total stranger and give him food/lodging. This seems to be quite common in the middle east. I think I read of the same hospitality in Mohammad Asad's Road To Mecca too.

Whereas in Singapore/Malaysia, our common biggest concerns as a Muslim, other than prayers and fasting, are... is.....

...what ah?

The need to reach out.

I think the bigger urge or desire for something to be done, started with DR MAZA's post about zakat. About finding the people who is eligible for zakat, instead of waiting for them to apply for them. If the organisations and mosques can spend thousands of dollars and man hours looking for zakat payers, about the same amount of time should also be spent looking for zakat eligible people.

(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.

~ Al Baqarah 2:273

Prior to that, I was just thinking about those low income families, not getting the ukhrawi ilmu they SO require in life, perhaps because they cannot afford it. Or they have no drive to do it. So why not GO TO THEM and offer them for free? I think it's our obligation right?

In return for them learning their own religion, they get pocket money and some food served. Do this on a weekly basis? A regular class, where they learn how to read the Quran, learn how to pray. Not really structured, but just like - perhaps and usrah session - where they can come together and we talk about being good Muslims, and we read the Word of Allah a little bit, and we talk about ourselves and our challenges and motivate each other to overcome them.

This way, we become closer to them, we know ABOUT them and we know how to help them. It wouldn't be the monthly or yearly financial assistance - it will be a weekly life assistance.

Ya Allah, how do we proceed? Guide us. Ameen.

growing old and dying

Since my late 30s, I have the tendency to think I'm a little bit older than I am. Example, when I had just passed my 37th year, and people ask me how old I am, I tend to say I'm 38 or even coming 40.

Now that I've passed 40, everytime I look at old ladies in their 60s-70s I think about how I'll be - cause it won't be too long when I'm going to be like that - that is, if my decreed time on earth is till then.

I have a vision of how I'd like to be when I'm that old. I hope to be still actively writing, be a thinker, an intellectual person.

An intellectual person, as Syed Hussein Alatas described in his essay in 1959 'The Intellectuals', "is a person who engages himself in thinking about ideas and non-material problems using his faculty of reason." This person may or may not have academic qualifications - and is well versed in the capacity of his intellectual interest.

I guess there is hope for me to be one.

I hope, in my old days, I'm still actively learning new beneficial things, doing dakwah in my own attainable capacity. I hope to write beneficial writings.

I hope I will be around, as long as my children need me, and will go before I become a burden to them. I hope I will go when my iman is at it's peak, I hope I will go easily, I hope I will attain goodness in this world and the Hereafter.

I hope and pray the same for everyone.

Afterall, what is life - if not a preparation for death.

.

honeybees

MasyaAllah.. really really - not for nought has Allah SWT created all that He has created.

But some men, think they know better. They create havoc on earth, they destroy the very things that is contributing to them being alive. Man is man's biggest enemy. No sorry.. man's biggest enemy is Satan. Then I would say, next, is man.

Anyway, these thoughts were spurred by watching this video. God reward this man.



"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man." - Albert Einstein

.

the sound of music

To me, listening to a beautiful piece of music can also trigger remembrance and awe in us, of God's creations. And I'm not talking about songs where you listen to words of advice.. i'm talking about a beautiful piece of music, that has the power to move hearts and make you smile involuntarily, just listening to it.

Because if you only knew the science of sound - what sound is made up of, how sound travels, how sounds can sound so nice, or so differently - don't forget, these are all God's unbelievably awesome creations. Subhanallah.

Combine that with a simple and beautiful image of Nature, we get this :