There was a bit of a hoohah about Mother's Day celebrations among the Muslims. Some group of people has strongly suggested that it is HARAM! And then there are others who say, this is just a Mother's Day celebration for heaven's sake!
There are several opinions or versions for the history of Mother's Day (just look up the web). One stemming out of a Christian's 'Mothering Sunday' celebration, and then some people relate it to the honour of Maryam or Mary - Mother of Jesus Christ A.S, and another which states that it is basically to have a day to appreciate mothers generally.
You know what - I feel silly wanting to talk about it for very long, and thus making a fuss. All I want to say actually is that - I have no strong resistance to the celebration if for all these people, they really feel it's basically THE day to honour their mothers and it will make their mothers happy.
However, I just wish that we don't make a big fuss with this Mother's Day thing because it is kind of funny to think that we should pick a day to honour our mother or make her happy, when we should on ANY OTHER DAY AND EVERY OTHER DAY, honour our mothers and make them happy. This concept of honouring and making mothers happy should be all year round - don't highlight it on this single day.
Mothers themselves shouldn't feel the slightest bit hurt if their children happens to be busy on or even forget Mother's day, when they have been good children every other day.
Like every declared 'something'-Day - the happiest people are the shopowners. All these X-Days have become a commercial and business opportunities to increase sales.
Some children feel pressured to get their mothers something, (and this applies for birthdays) because they feel that it's so wrong not to get her anything on this specific day - then they end up buying something that the mother do not actually use or like. All the unnecessary pressures and wastage. Any other time of the year - if you're out walking and you see something that your mother (or any loved ones for that matter) have been wanting or you know they would like to have - get it for them. No, don't wait for something-day.
I also hope that siblings don't fall into arguments because someone forgot to book a restaurant and they cannot get a place on a declared something-day. The food doesn't taste any better on that day - in fact it could even be more expensive than on other days. You can go another day. Oh, but there is a day when food taste better - that's on Hari Raya Puasa, after a month of fasting. :D
Why do I have to write about this today? Ok, nevermind. I just would like to wish everyone an Everyone-is-Happy Day. InsyaAllah. Aamiin.
Madame Blossom's Book of Poems
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Everyone have equal opportunity to achieve success
We have been bombarded with the wrong definition of success over and over and over again - until it seems like the truth. It's almost abominable to say, high education and wealth is NOT what success is. High education and wealth MAY be a tool to attain success. It could also be an obstacle to attaining success.
Some people hope that the general standard of living among people will rise - that we can 'educate' everyone - and by that they mean that everyone can get a piece of paper that says they have reached a certain level of study. Never mind if the person actually really LEARNED something for the years of school - as long as they get the high scores. However for most of these people, if we ask, what is the objective of your study? Most would say, it's to get the certificate, the degree the PHD - so that you can get a good job.
A good job. People want a 'good' job - meaning a job that pays well. WHY do people want a 'good' job that pays well? So they don't need to work as hard as the others? So that they get easier money?
What do they want to do with the easy money and a good job? To enjoy life? And then what? Do people think that the purpose of life is enjoyment?
This is how far we have been deluded in our effort and determination for 'success' in life.
This definition of 'success' in life has caused so much strain in the lives of people - those who cannot attain this 'success' or even for those who have 'attained' this success because they are still searching for something more.
The truth is - these are all delusions. The truth is hard to swallow. Just because it is being said repeatedly, it does not mean it's right.
There is only one objective of this life on earth - and that is worship Allah SWT who created us and to whom we will all return.
Allah has defined for us, what success is. It is NOT wealth and children. It's the good deeds that we do for the sake of Allah SWT. These can be achieved by anyone, young and old, rich or poor, one with a formal education or one without. Everyone has an equal chance at attaining THIS true success.
Then, should we let there be poor people? It's not about 'letting there be'. It's more about it being a natural state of being. Some people are born to lead, others to follow, some born male, others female. Some born rich, others poor. Some become rich, others become poor. We can't possibly have a uniform state for all man.
Having poor people is a blessing for the rich - it gives them the opportunity to do more good deeds - which is persistently mentioned in the Qur'an - that is to give to charity. If there are no poor people around, to whom can the rich give charity to?
Being poor or being rich is part of the Test that Allah has set for human beings. As mentioned, the best among them is not those who manage to attain more wealth, but those who can show more faith, piety, patience and perseverance in the state that are put in.
So, what's the conclusion? Don't need to study? don't need to work?
Of course not. First we make clear our purpose of life. To seek Allah's blessings and therefore in whatever we do or try to achieve, we do it in order to seek His blessings. We work to seek the sustenance of Allah SWT, with intentions of giving back to the community, with the intention of being able to support our family and give back to charity. Be grateful for what Allah has provided for us. In whatever state that we are in, continue to have faith in Allah and his Rewards in the Hereafter, enjoin patience and perseverance.
The rich must remember their duty, and must not be miserly nor should they be wasteful. The rich have their own set of tests and their current wealth does not ensure their success in this world and Hereafter.
A successful community is not one where everyone is formally educated and wealthy. It's one where there are a mixture of the rich and the poor or needy, where the rich respects and helps the needy and the needy are not a nuisance to the society out of envy for the rich - in that they are knowledgeable in the deen of Allah SWT and practise it's teachings. Of course this applies to the rich too. In this scenario, people live in calmness and in harmony.
True, this situation is almost unimaginable - but the thing is, Allah will judge us individually - so it doesn't matter if this cannot be achieved at a community level. We are still required to do our part as an individual, as we are answerable for our own efforts and deeds.
We must try to find the meaning of life and peace and tranquility in our pursuit for the right kind of success - as defined by our Creator.
May we become a better Ummah. Aamiin.
Some people hope that the general standard of living among people will rise - that we can 'educate' everyone - and by that they mean that everyone can get a piece of paper that says they have reached a certain level of study. Never mind if the person actually really LEARNED something for the years of school - as long as they get the high scores. However for most of these people, if we ask, what is the objective of your study? Most would say, it's to get the certificate, the degree the PHD - so that you can get a good job.
A good job. People want a 'good' job - meaning a job that pays well. WHY do people want a 'good' job that pays well? So they don't need to work as hard as the others? So that they get easier money?
What do they want to do with the easy money and a good job? To enjoy life? And then what? Do people think that the purpose of life is enjoyment?
This is how far we have been deluded in our effort and determination for 'success' in life.
This definition of 'success' in life has caused so much strain in the lives of people - those who cannot attain this 'success' or even for those who have 'attained' this success because they are still searching for something more.
The truth is - these are all delusions. The truth is hard to swallow. Just because it is being said repeatedly, it does not mean it's right.
There is only one objective of this life on earth - and that is worship Allah SWT who created us and to whom we will all return.
Allah has defined for us, what success is. It is NOT wealth and children. It's the good deeds that we do for the sake of Allah SWT. These can be achieved by anyone, young and old, rich or poor, one with a formal education or one without. Everyone has an equal chance at attaining THIS true success.
Then, should we let there be poor people? It's not about 'letting there be'. It's more about it being a natural state of being. Some people are born to lead, others to follow, some born male, others female. Some born rich, others poor. Some become rich, others become poor. We can't possibly have a uniform state for all man.
"For, He it is who has made you inherit the earth, and has raised some of you by degrees above others, so that He might try you by means of what He has bestowed upon you. [166] Verily, thy Sustainer is swift in retribution: yet, behold, He is indeed much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace."
Al An'am 6:165 (translation by Asad)
Having poor people is a blessing for the rich - it gives them the opportunity to do more good deeds - which is persistently mentioned in the Qur'an - that is to give to charity. If there are no poor people around, to whom can the rich give charity to?
Being poor or being rich is part of the Test that Allah has set for human beings. As mentioned, the best among them is not those who manage to attain more wealth, but those who can show more faith, piety, patience and perseverance in the state that are put in.
"Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes."
Al Kahf 18:46 (Yusuf Ali's translation).
So, what's the conclusion? Don't need to study? don't need to work?
Of course not. First we make clear our purpose of life. To seek Allah's blessings and therefore in whatever we do or try to achieve, we do it in order to seek His blessings. We work to seek the sustenance of Allah SWT, with intentions of giving back to the community, with the intention of being able to support our family and give back to charity. Be grateful for what Allah has provided for us. In whatever state that we are in, continue to have faith in Allah and his Rewards in the Hereafter, enjoin patience and perseverance.
The rich must remember their duty, and must not be miserly nor should they be wasteful. The rich have their own set of tests and their current wealth does not ensure their success in this world and Hereafter.
A successful community is not one where everyone is formally educated and wealthy. It's one where there are a mixture of the rich and the poor or needy, where the rich respects and helps the needy and the needy are not a nuisance to the society out of envy for the rich - in that they are knowledgeable in the deen of Allah SWT and practise it's teachings. Of course this applies to the rich too. In this scenario, people live in calmness and in harmony.
True, this situation is almost unimaginable - but the thing is, Allah will judge us individually - so it doesn't matter if this cannot be achieved at a community level. We are still required to do our part as an individual, as we are answerable for our own efforts and deeds.
We must try to find the meaning of life and peace and tranquility in our pursuit for the right kind of success - as defined by our Creator.
May we become a better Ummah. Aamiin.
Monday, May 07, 2012
the mere man
Live commentary on my reading Stephen Hawking's (& Leonard Mlodinow) - 'The Grand Design'.
Just bought it this afternoon. I bought it to read more about what we 'men' have known till now.
He wrote : "The M-theory predicts that a great many universes were created out of nothing. Their creation does not need the intervention of a supernatural being or god."
:-/
Up till now, man only have had a mere 'glimpse of a slice of Reality', according to another scientist, Briane Greene in his book Fabric of the Cosmos.
I can't imagine how Stephen H can confidently come to that deduction. Isn't it a wonder, isn't it proof enough that the whole universe is created and kept running in perfect balance & order? If even a single element is or goes out of proportion, we cannot exist.
Some men claims that every single perfect thing is mere coincidence. The theory of everything happening on it's own, the theory of 'coincidence'. Imagine getting 1 million women to put flour, sugar, and egg into an oven and see if perhaps just one of them, can coincidentally turn into aperfect cake.
"Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High,
Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion;"
Al A'la 87:1-2
Man.
"He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an open disputer!"
Al Quran, An-Nahl 16:4
*all translations of the Quran above, by Yusuf Ali.
To be continued,
if I have the mood.
insyaAllah.
*UPDATE* - don't want to waste my time. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun to the money lost.
Just bought it this afternoon. I bought it to read more about what we 'men' have known till now.
He wrote : "The M-theory predicts that a great many universes were created out of nothing. Their creation does not need the intervention of a supernatural being or god."
:-/
Up till now, man only have had a mere 'glimpse of a slice of Reality', according to another scientist, Briane Greene in his book Fabric of the Cosmos.
I can't imagine how Stephen H can confidently come to that deduction. Isn't it a wonder, isn't it proof enough that the whole universe is created and kept running in perfect balance & order? If even a single element is or goes out of proportion, we cannot exist.
Some men claims that every single perfect thing is mere coincidence. The theory of everything happening on it's own, the theory of 'coincidence'. Imagine getting 1 million women to put flour, sugar, and egg into an oven and see if perhaps just one of them, can coincidentally turn into a
"Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High,
Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion;"
Al A'la 87:1-2
Man.
"He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an open disputer!"
Al Quran, An-Nahl 16:4
*all translations of the Quran above, by Yusuf Ali.
To be continued,
if I have the mood.
insyaAllah.
*UPDATE* - don't want to waste my time. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun to the money lost.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Where do they go to?
Just now I went to a talk titled 'If today is your last day.' It was done at a mosque near the graveyard, Pusara Aman Mosque :D How apt.
That talk was good alhamdulillah - Ustaz Mizi asked us to think what if, a doctor tells us we're going to die within a few days/weeks? How that will change the way we look at life and things. I believe the important lesson here is to always be prepared for death. For the Muslims, isn't living basically, all about preparation for death?
However what I want to comment on is, how glad I am to see quite a number of Bangladeshi workers attending the talk. They had questions after the talk. I've always wondered if they have the opportunity to listen to sermons or attend regular Islamic classes on weekends.
I know the church near my house, is very active in getting foreign workers to the church. They have church masses in Chinese, Tagalog and even in Indonesian language! They provide buses for the people to come.
I wish our mosques can be more pro-active like that. Perhaps some mosques already are, and I just don't know about it. :)
That talk was good alhamdulillah - Ustaz Mizi asked us to think what if, a doctor tells us we're going to die within a few days/weeks? How that will change the way we look at life and things. I believe the important lesson here is to always be prepared for death. For the Muslims, isn't living basically, all about preparation for death?
However what I want to comment on is, how glad I am to see quite a number of Bangladeshi workers attending the talk. They had questions after the talk. I've always wondered if they have the opportunity to listen to sermons or attend regular Islamic classes on weekends.
I know the church near my house, is very active in getting foreign workers to the church. They have church masses in Chinese, Tagalog and even in Indonesian language! They provide buses for the people to come.
I wish our mosques can be more pro-active like that. Perhaps some mosques already are, and I just don't know about it. :)
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Boring
I think you can read my slow transformation, into this kind of a monotone person, if you read the blog from 5 years ago.
I also noticed, how I wrote previously. Perhaps I was more playful. Now I feel like I am more conscious about my language, because I heard in a lecture that day that a good Muslim also speaks in a good and clear way - they avoid using slangs.
However when I am being talkative, I think these things still escape my mouth. But I only become very talkative with people I know well and/or am comfortable with. Or if the subject matter is something that interests me. It does not include shopping seasons, bags or entertainers. Other than that, I think I'm (verbally) quiet most of the time.
Perhaps these are 'trivial' stuff.
But then, a single atom may also be trivial, with a lot of empty space, but together they make up everything in the universe we know.
I know I may not be 'fun' to a lot of my friends already. I think I have become kind of boring.
"Boring is good, boring is safe." - heard that in some cartoon show.
I think there is some truth in that.
I also noticed, how I wrote previously. Perhaps I was more playful. Now I feel like I am more conscious about my language, because I heard in a lecture that day that a good Muslim also speaks in a good and clear way - they avoid using slangs.
However when I am being talkative, I think these things still escape my mouth. But I only become very talkative with people I know well and/or am comfortable with. Or if the subject matter is something that interests me. It does not include shopping seasons, bags or entertainers. Other than that, I think I'm (verbally) quiet most of the time.
Perhaps these are 'trivial' stuff.
But then, a single atom may also be trivial, with a lot of empty space, but together they make up everything in the universe we know.
I know I may not be 'fun' to a lot of my friends already. I think I have become kind of boring.
"Boring is good, boring is safe." - heard that in some cartoon show.
I think there is some truth in that.
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