Another year

Assalamu'alaikum, fellow readers! Isn't today just wonderful? Smiles.
Alhamdulillah, all praises goes to Allah SWT, the ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim. May His mercy be upon us and may our love for Him not fade just like how His love for us will never cease. InsyaAllah...

I was cute during kindergarten eh? =P

It's 23rd of May, and it is my birthday. Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT has extended another year of my life and here I am, still breathing and still living, but now as a 20 year old. As a Muslim, I have no one else to thank to the most except Allah SWT. He has given me a life that I wish not to trade with others. A life that is full with tribulations, hardship, sorrows, pain, but with a mixture of joy, happiness, tranquillity and love. All these were given to me because Allah SWT still loves me (and every single one of us) and He gives me all these because He knows that every single one of it will bring benefits to me, for He knows more than we do. The only thing I've to do is to stay husnudzon and accept life as it is. Smiles.

There's going to be a difference in my birthday this year. This year, I'll resolved to bring a better change in my life. It's actually quite sad that another year has passed, but life hasn't changed much for me. Or in other words, I don't think I've been a better person throughout the year. And so, therefore, I resolved to do my very best to work even harder this year to make a change. 'Cause, you see... Being 20 isn't young any more. I finally realized now that what I really need to do is to grow up. And I will strive hard for it. Like what I told all my friends, no matter how much life will screw me up, I will not give up. I will stand up and strive again.

To me, I don't see or take birthdays as an occasion for us to celebrate, but rather, I see it as a day where we

20 year old me now =)

should do a full head-to-toe, inner and outer muhasabah in every aspect in our life. As for me, I see this year as a year where death is getting ever so near, and my contributions and my work in Islam isn't a satisfactory. In fact, you can say that it had made me feel a bit depressed lately by knowing of that truth. BUT, like I said, this phase of depression will not let me quit. In fact, I will use this chance to fully try and dig deep within me so that I can find my potential in achieving the success that I want, and also for the betterment of the Ummah.

Recently, I watched Aiman Azlan's first vlog, and what Aiman Azlan said in that vlog really intrigued me. Alhamdulillah, because of it, I finally realize what I can do, and what I can try : I can try to be active in the fields of journalism, blogging and writings again. To be honest, I had put aside my dream in becoming a writer ever since I entered college, thinking that since I'm taking counselling, I wouldn't be able to sharpen my skills, and I gave up on it. But, now... After 2 years in college, I begin to realize that what I really need in life is my contribution to society in the form of writings. And, I will sharpen my skills! I will, indeed!

# Alhamdulillah, and jazakumullah khayr to everyone who had wished me well on my birthday. I pray that Allah SWT will send down His love and mercy to all, and I also pray that we will all stay strong in this journey to bring Islam back to its righteous place! May Jannah be our main goal, and let's all pray and work hard together to attain it -- TOGETHER. =)

Teachers.

ar-Rasul SAW teaches from the HEART

Ar-Rasul SAW is the greatest teacher, murabbi and the greatest person that Allah SWT has to offer. It has been million of years since his passing, but his teachings and contributions to the world is forever loved and cherished. From the bottom of my heart, I miss him dearly. ='(

It's 16 May, and today is Teachers' Day.
Why did I started off today's post about ar-Rasul SAW? Firsly, because it is all true. Muhammad ar-Rasul SAW is indeed the greatest teacher and murabbi of all time, and ever since the moment that I began to love him and admire him wholeheartedly, that is the first moment where I began to realize how important and how huge a teacher's job is.

Today is the day where we thank our teachers in masses and give our full appreciation towards all that they have done to us. Though, to me, I don't think we need a specific day to do so. Just like our mothers, appreciation and gratitude towards teachers also applies the same : we should do it every day. Our mothers also acts as our teachers, you know.

Teachers, murabbi/ah, mu'alim/ah, and so forth. They're truly amazing people. To me, teachers are people who are superbly awesome. Why? Imagine, they can encounter many problems, and yet they always seem to brush them off just for the sake of their students' future. Believe me, I know this. Why? Because all my teachers (and also my mother) did this to me. Though at the time, I did not know of it, but now, as I grew up a little, I begin to realize the importance of those small and tedious things they did for and to me. And because of that, I am forever thankful that Allah SWT has given me these kind of teachers.

"The best teachers teach from the HEART, not from the book."
That is what Muhammad ar-Rasul SAW did, and that is exactly what my teachers did too. That is why I always see my teachers as living inspiration. They taught me many things, they touched my heart with their words, though sometimes I hate to admit to that truth. But that's how it is.

Muhammad ar-Rasul SAW had never given up on teaching his Ummah the ways of Islam, the way that Allah SWT pleases. No matter how big the tribulation, how big the problem or how excruciating the pain that he has to face, he never gives up, because he knows and he loves his Ummah with all his heart.

My teachers, are also people who had never given up. That is why, I love to see them as people who are following the ways of Muhammad ar-Rasul SAW. No matter how troublesome the students are, they always try their best to be the best teacher anyway. No matter how painful and how insensitive their students are, they still try to stay and remain calm, smile and keep loving their students. They are people who have huge hearts and bigger dreams for their students.

Whenever I began to think of my teachers, I would always smile, grin and laugh. They were annoying, pestering and bothersome to me, but in the end, those are the things that I really miss. My teachers had never given up on me when other people did. They encouraged me to do my best, and to always dream big. They were the people who had helped me by giving me all their love to me.

Teachers, thank you for everything. For all the smiles you gave me, the neverending love, the scoldings, the pesterings, the jokes that we share, the encouragements, the advices, the tears you made me shed... Thank you for everything. Allah SWT has given you the best kind of occupation, the best kind of career. Why? Because, whether you realize it or not, you're doing something BIG for the Ummah. Your intentions are pure, and I will always love and thank you for all the things you had done. =)

# May Allah SWT bless our teachers for all the wonderful deeds that they have done. Hopefully, their teachings will bring benefits into this world and will help us in any possible means in this world and for the next. InsyaAllah. ;)

Ukhwah

ta'aruf, tafahum, takaful =)

I felt like replying to THIS post; why? Because it really made my day. =)

You see, that blog post was made by my (almost) little sister that I met in college. I know that we're of the same age, but somehow, I wanted to be her older sister, and so I did. And to be honest, I had never met someone as awesome as her! Believe me, adik! You are indeed special and awesome! =)

When we talk about friendship (read : ukhwah), we're talking about a connection between us and other individuals. What's so special about this connection? Well, this connection resembles our closeness of heart and also fulfilling our needs to be accompanied. You see, Allah SWT did not created Adam to live in this world alone. He created Eve (read : Hawa) to accompany and to fulfill Adam's desire of having a partner.


My teacher once said to me : No man is an island.
That fits perfectly in what I'm trying to say now. No one is created or fated to be alone. Even our prophet Muhammad SAW had his sahabah (and also sahabiah) by his side. And with the sahabah (and sahabiah) by his side, THEY successfully spread Islam to the world, and alhamdulillah, Islam is still living in this world. How great is that?

"the believers are but brothers.." [al-Hujurat : 10]
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." [al-Hujurat : 13]

I'm not sure what to talk about ukhwah, because you see, such beautiful friendship is just beyond words to describe. Usually when we talk about ukhwah fillah (friendship for the sake of Allah), we talk primarily about intentions.

"Muslims make friends knowing that the relationship they will ensue is an important bond between two people who share mutual goals. Their friendship is one that exists primarily for the sake of Allah the Almighty. The love and camaraderie that is born from such a friendship is a secondary benefit, for sure."
[quoted]

Back to 'replying' my friend's blog post. SubhanAllah.. I am thankful and grateful that Allah SWT has given me many friends that had helped me throughout my journey (remember el viaje! Hehe!) in life. I know that, without them, I will never be the person I am today.

That little sister of mine (here) is truly a special person. A little sister of the same age, from a different family. With her, I had endured pain, shared jokes, shared powerful insights together, discuss the pain of our Ummah together, carefully planning our life together, and almost everything is shared. ALMOST.

Physically, we are separated now, but I know, and I deeply believe in this, our hearts are connected as one. No matter how far apart we are, our souls and our spirits move as one, because we share one same feeling : we love each other for Allah's sake. And that is the greatest feeling ever.
And also, we share one same goal : to attain Jannah by working for Islam here, and now.

And not just only her. Everyone. =)
All these talks about friendship really can make me cry. I have Allah SWT to thank to for giving me all these friends that I can count on, who always reminds me of Him, of the beauty of Jannah. I have nothing to worry about, because Allah SWT has given me the people that I need.

# On the authority of Abu Hamzah, Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) - the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) - that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said :
"None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves himself."
[HR Bukhari & Muslim]

Here are some songs that I enjoy listening when thinking of my friends (eheh! poker face) :

Uhibbukum fillah! =)

The past is behind...

the past doesn't determine our future

As we all know, everyone has a past on their own. A story that they left behind before they became who they are today.

I am not one who is excluded in this matter. But the thing is, I am thankful that I had a past on my own. A story that I left behind.
Without it, I wouldn't be who I am now, and I wouldn't be the girl I am now. Though I know I have many more to learn, but it's okay. Success is a journey anyway. =)

When speaking about the past, I used to be someone who lingered in the past, who had never moved on and I was once a girl who blames the past for my present life now. But the truth would be, it is I who chooses to make my life as how it is now.

What I did not know was, the past was just the past. And there's no use crying over spilt milk, right? That is where I missed out something.

The past doesn't determine our future, but we determine our future!
That's what I want to hold in my life now. Because you see, our past may be dark, but there's always light at the end of the tunnel. All we have to do is to just believe. Believe that we CAN do it, and believe that Allah will always be there to HELP us. Even Hindon, the one who had vowed in front of the entire citizens of Makkah during our Prophet's time changed her future and converted and become a sahabiah in Islam. She had vowed and make an oath that she will never convert or follow the path of Muhammad SAW. And what happened? Allah SWT opened her heart and let Islam seeped into her heart, and she became a great sahabiah who fought along side Muhammad SAW.

All we have to do is to always believe in Allah SWT. If our intentions are for the akhirah, then Allah SWT will help us gain akhirah. If our intentions are to impress people or for worldly matters, then surely Allah SWT will let us gain what we want.

The past is the past. We can't change it no matter how hard we try, or how hard we plead. We just have to accept it as it is, and always strive to be better in the future. Everything begins NOW. Our future is determined on what we do NOW, and not what was in the past. Allah SWT is Most FORGIVING and the Most Understanding. Believe that Allah SWT will always listen to our prayers, and always with us. Always.

"We cannot change the past to rewrite a better beginning, but we can work for the future and strive for a better ending." - Yasir Qadhi

# Always remember that this world is just temporary, so ALWAYS hope and strive for what is eternal -- JANNAH. =)

So do not weaken...

Whenever I feel down, I would always remember surah ali-Imran, 3:139.

It would be the biggest irony for me to always remind others about this phrase in the Quran, if I'm the one who always forgets about it.

This phrase was the trigger to my change, and this one phrase in the Quran is indeed my all-time favourite. For you see, Allah has said to us specifically, "DO NOT weaken and DO NOT grieve.".

He knows that we are weak, He knows that He created us to feel weak and sad, but He asked and told us to not be so. Why? Because He is always there.

True. Our iman fluctuates. Sometime it goes up, and sometime it goes down. It is never stagnant. Never will be stagnant, but it is our choice whether we want to increase it or to let it fall drastically. We are the ones who controls our own iman.

There are challenges in acquiring an increase of iman, and the greatest challenge comes from within us.

# Never ever give up, that's the key. Remember that if we are true in our intentions, then Allah will always help us. Allah is always there... (Note to self.)