Islam is good for you

Islam means submission.  Submission to what?   Submission to God's will.

Submitting to God's will is also a tool for mental health.  It helps to know that we are taken care of, that all the things that is happening was planned.  It helps to be assured that God planned all of it, and ALWAYS in the end, it's for our own good. 

Everything God tells us to do is also truly for OUR own good.  Allaah does not need our prayers or fasting or charity.  It is us, our mind and soul that needs all those to be mentally, spiritually and physically healthy.

Too many examples, but I just want to bring up about our five daily solahs (the Muslim's specific prayers)

Our five daily solahs is a fixed routine that God has set for us.  Other than the spiritual and physical health benefits of solahs- there is also a benefit for our mental health.

One that I'm sure many will already think of, is that solah is our meditation, one that has recently always been advocated in modern times.  These are the moments you take a break from your daily grind to focus on yourself, reflecting on purpose of life and connecting to God.   

If you are lazing around, then the five daily solahs work the other way, it forces you to take a break from  your lazing around, binge-watching or game-playing, to have some physical, spiritual and mental activity. 

Our five daily solahs is a set routine for the Muslims.  I recently came across an article about how having a routine is beneficial for your mental health.   This idea clicked right away.  

In whatever state our life is in, we still can have some order in our lives when we do our five daily solahs. If nothing else is in order in your life - the five daily prayers provides to you some order, and some sense of control, insyaaallaah.

So, if you want a healthier lifestyle, try to adhere religiously (pun intended) to the five pillars of Islam - our solahs being the second one. 

Why some scientist find it hard to believe in a Creator / God (a hypothesis)

I read an science article once, where the scientist said that, although the universe is so perfect, there couldn't be a creator, because that program or computer would have to be unimaginably large. 

Another time, an atheist scientist said, yes, the design is perfect, however if there is a God, why would the God who created the universe and all creations so perfectly, want to pay attention to what a single person like us, do or feel?  He would be too busy with the other larger creations.

As can be seen from both of the above arguments - the root of the disbelief is that, they cannot imagine that there could be a God so great that could and would be able to do ALL of that - even though they acknowledged and found that the creations were superior and perfect. 

Why they find it hard to accept, is probably because they have been brought up with an image of a god.   A visual image - and that image is of a man (whether it's an old man or a young man - or in some other religions - an animal.  Astaghfirullaah.   

That is the big issue now.  If that is the image of God that they have, of course then cannot imagine that that mere man or animal that they perceive - would be able to create an ever expanding universe.   

God have said that he is UNLIKE any of His creations - and these people did not know this.     God is the Greatest.  And when we say greatest - it is beyond your perception and imagination.    We cannot accommodate the knowledge of God.   

Even if all the oceans on the earth is ink, and all the trees on this planet are made into pens - it would never be able to write God's knowledge, even if the supplies are increased seven fold. 

Man only need to realise, the superiority of the Creator through observing and studying His Creations to understand that God is Great.  God has left a book, fit for human and jin to learn and understand - and guide us on how to live and what to believe.  God has given us evidences. 

If you would just be less arrogant, you would realise and accept that you cannot encompass God's knowledge - and as such submit to God, as one of his Creations and we are at the mercy of the Loving God. 

When we accept that, and learn what He wants to teach us, our lives will be more manageable and peaceful, insyaaAllaah. 

So scientists, they have to be sincere and honest about their feelings, and be humble.  It is more logical to believe that there IS a Creator, a perfect Designer, than to believe otherwise.  Relent, and submit. 

Beauty where you are

 I used to find beauty in other people's social media posts and videos.  I used to admire them in movies with good cinematography and animes.   They are all so beautiful masyaaAllaah.

But since last year, I realise, we can make that beauty or feel that beauty where we are.  You only need to start noticing.  Apply your mind's cinematography to the place where you are.  

Look at the sky through the tree's leaves, observe your surroundings at dawn and dusk, notice the blooms on our street and sidewalk plants.  Seek quiet, to observe these. 

You can create one at home also - keep your place tidy and get rid of things you have not touched in the last 3 or 5 years.  Put plants - many plants - real ones if you can, which is preferable, or fake ones.  Greens make a room feel more cosy and calm.  And I love white curtains.  it brings in lots of natural light, but keep out the heat.    

The point is, you can create those beauty you've been admiring in the posts and videos, where you are.  

Subhanallaah.

I am the traveler.

I am the traveler, 

waiting for the moment 

I would be leaving for home. 

Meanwhile, I try to fill up my hours, 

doing things that may benefit others 

or just floating on the river of time. 

When I finally leave for home, 

I hope to leave in the best state. 

Appreciated by those I've met along the way. 

I hope we'll be able to meet again 

In the beautiful garden of my permanent home 

Reminiscing the good old days.

Why would sinners be put in Hell?

I have been questioned before, why God created Hell and why the Merciful God have to punish people?  

My immediate and official answer is, I don't know, Allaah knows best. Just like how, when the Angels asked Allaah, why He wanted to put human on earth when they would cause mischief and shed blood - Allaah said, "I know what you don't know." Even the Angels don't know everything. 

We humans too, and we definitely are not able to see the total big picture, the total workings of humanity, the world and the universe. We only see miniscule snippets. 

There is a question put forth in the Quran, that I happen to have just reached : "Do those who commit evil deeds really think that We will deal with them in the same way as those who believe and do righteous deeds, that they will be alike in their living and their dying? How badly they judge." 45:21 

Let's just ponder over our current world - this earth - this life. Why do governments create punishments for certain offenders? Should we be kind and put the serial rapist who raped your toddler, the tyrant leader who had your father killed and family starved, the sadistic killer who murdered your sister for no reason, who are all not remorseful - should we put them all in a resort in Maldives? 

 Also, we look at our kind neighbour or the old man who is non-Muslim working hard for a living, and we assume, these are the 'kafirs' whom Allaah will put in Hell? How do you even know that and how can you even assume that? Kafir-ness of a person is something known only to Allaah - being a kafir is something internal. 

Allaah knows best the people deserving of Hell - e.g. one trait Allaah mentions is, the person has been convinced and know the truth, but rebel just because he is arrogant.' Allaah knows best. 

So am I saying the non-Muslims who have not heard the convincing message of Islam and are regular people who does good deed, Allaah will put them in Heaven? Well, Allaah is the Most Merciful and Allaah knows best - I don't know. 

 "Then in this case, I may as well not be a Muslim!" Then, you may fall into the category of a people who is convinced of the truth - however is arrogant and rebellious. Be careful. You don't have to proof anything to anyone - it is between you and Allaah alone. 

 Whoever believes and does good, it's only for his own benefit, and whoever does bad deeds it is to his own detriment. Believe, and be good anyway. May Allaah guide us all.